Rising anti-immigrant sentiments ravage my British dream

LONDON, United Kingdom ꟷ As an Egyptian, I immigrated to Britain with my husband and children in search of a better future for our family. We chose Britain as our new homeland, obtained nationality, and swore allegiance to it. For many years, I experienced a deep sense of safety and belonging in this country.

I feel fortunate to be in Britain, especially when I read about racist incidents in other countries. I love the country’s charming nature, including its ubiquitous greenery, fog, and ever-changing weather. Additionally, the courteous English people increase my admiration for this country, along with its vibrant culture. I deeply value everything Britain has to offer.

However, my once happy life shattered when a friend called to tell me about a stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three young girls. Overwhelmed with sadness, she cried, “The girls are the same age as our daughters, having the same smiles, and they love to dance.” She told me she did not sleep all night.

Rising anti-immigrant sentiments in Britain heighten threats to immigrant communities

Soon after the attack, I woke up to a nightmare. The misleading information spread about the identity of the 17-year-old attacker, whose parents came from Rwanda, triggered violence on the streets of Britain. In response, far-right riots targeted Blacks and Muslims in cities including Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, Belfast, and Sunderland.

That day was filled with sorrow, as the tragedy weighed heavily on my heart and mind. The violent far-right protests that erupted in several cities terrified me. Riots falsely claimed that a Muslim asylum seeker was the killer. However, the investigation later revealed that the killer was not Muslim. Consequently, a judge declared that the killer’s religion had no connection to the crime.

For the first time, I feel unsafe in Britain. I used to visit a supermarket five minutes from home at any time of the day or night. However, after recent events, my husband asked me not to go out at night and to avoid public places as much as possible. Constantly, I feel worried about my children as I struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Instead, I experience intermittent sleep filled with anxiety and nightmares. Living in a predominantly white area, I try to limit my outings, fearing involvement in an incident could affect my children. I am profoundly concerned as this affects my mental health.

One of my Egyptian-British friends, who has lived here for many years, shared a troubling incident when a racist tried to harass her family in a public park. To scare her children, the aggressor sent his dog. When she began calling the police, he left, cursing them. Another Egyptian friend mentioned that she started receiving uncomfortable looks from colleagues at work. She felt uncertain whether their feelings towards her genuinely became negative or if she began experiencing OCD-related thoughts. Unaware of the reality, I did not realize a volcano simmered beneath the calm surface of British society.

Promoting dialogue, combating misinformation, and embracing diversity are essential for a resilient society

I never imagined such tensions existed in Britain. In Egypt, I once witnessed a violent argument between two Egyptian women and a family of Sudanese refugees. The women bullied the family because of their dark skin. Enraged, I confronted the aggressors, responding to their hostility in kind. Here in Britain, such racist incidents shocked me. I began searching for answers, trying to understand what happened. It puzzled me why people acted threateningly in a well-established democracy like Britain.

The economic situation is likely the main reason, as many on the far-right feel immigrants are taking their jobs. Moreover, they may fear our cultural identity due to the immigrant lifestyle. To combat these issues, dialogue between different societal segments must take place to remove misunderstandings and provide accurate information. Simultaneously, tackling misinformation and false news on the internet plays a crucial role in depriving the far-right of its main weapon: misinformation steeped in conspiracy theory.

Although my small family and I sometimes feel stuck on an isolated island in an ocean of uncertainty, I remain fully aware we are not alone. Minorities in Britain today number in the millions. Many organizations remain dedicated to supporting these communities and advocating for a more just and equitable society.

Today, I hope to teach new generations the values of celebrating diversity and accepting others. By doing so, we can build a cohesive and strong society. This will help us remain resilient and clear-minded, even in the face of misleading information on the internet.

My dream of a better life and future for my children has been shaken by the far-right protests, both in their scale and violence. Many in Britain also feel shocked by these events. In fact, a relative of one of the young girls killed said, “What the extremists are doing is the greatest insult to the memory of the victims.” Despite my panic, I stay confident the vast majority of Brits oppose these extremists. The police bravely confronted the protests, and counterdemonstrations already declared that Britain welcomes refugees.