UK Faces Violent Islamophobia as ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ Goes Viral

“They have hurt you, they have made your loved ones suffer. What are you doing about it?” says the letter.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

A horrifying flyer has reportedly been spreading like wildfire in United Kingdom since March 2018, advocating violence against Muslims. Declaring 3 April as 'Punish a Muslim Day', the now-viral campaign awards “points” for violence against Muslims.

"They have hurt you, they have made your loved ones suffer. What are you doing about it?" says the letter.

From 10 points for verbal abuse, to 80 points for throwing acid in a Muslim’s face, to 100 points if one beats up a Muslim, to 1000 points for burning or bombing a mosque – the hate crimes come attached with “reward points”.

The letter has raised alarm throughout the country, with the Saudi Arabia Embassy in London expressing concern about the content of the letter and advising its citizens to exercise "caution and vigilance".

Hate Crimes Break Out Early...

However, according to reports, there is still no clarity about the origin of this flyer or who will be “awarding” the points for this sick game.

But if you thought it wouldn’t be taken seriously, you’d be wrong. Violence against Muslims in the UK has already begun, days ahead of the ‘Day’. Here are a few examples of alleged hate crimes that have been recorded over the last few days:

While social media can be an accelerant for bigotry and hate campaigns like this one, it’s also a powerful avenue for counter-culture, as this campaign in response proves:

Hasan Minhaj Takes Down the Campaign

Comedian Hasan Minhaj, speaking to The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, said sarcastically that “it was 364 days less than normal”.

Actually Trevor, I’m optimistic. I know it’s scary but they’re proposing ‘Punish a Muslim Day’. Day, Trevor, one day. That’s 364 days less than normal.

Hasan Minhaj