Tory Leadership Tensions Ignite Amid UK Riots: Jenrick Faces Backlash for ‘Allahu Akbar’ Comments

UK unrest: Tory leadership contender criticizes Robert Jenrick for 'unwise and insensitive' Allahu Akbar remark

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner further accuses the ex-immigration minister of inciting riots with his statements, which have sparked significant controversy.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 6:

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A Conservative Party leadership contender has criticized his opponent for making remarks deemed "imprudent and tactless," specifically for suggesting that individuals exclaiming "Allahu Akbar" ought to be "promptly detained."

Mel Stride criticized fellow Conservative Robert Jenrick for his remarks regarding the Arabic expression that translates to "God is great."

Politics Live: Jenrick Stands Firm on Controversial 'Allahu Akbar' Comments

He expressed to Sky News, "I believe the idea of broadly criminalizing the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' is imprudent and tactless.

"Only under extremely uncommon conditions might any danger inherent in these terms be subtly suggested."

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"Anyone attempting to create disturbances here will be promptly sent away."

Law enforcement agencies have distributed surveillance footage in an effort to pinpoint individuals associated with extensive disturbances.

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"The significance of context is undeniably substantial in this instance."

The backlash emerged after Angela Rayner of the Labour Party charged Mr. Jenrick with inciting the recent riots that have rocked the UK, during which mosques and hotels accommodating asylum seekers were attacked.

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The Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, close to Rotherham, was overrun by rioters on Sunday in an incident police called "a revolting act of violence."

Addressing the issue from the hotel, the deputy prime minister stated, "Individuals such as Robert Jenrick are partly responsible for inciting the issues we're witnessing in our communities."

"In fact, the goal is for communities to unite, and most people are eager to witness this."

Mr. Jenrick addressed allegations, which authorities have refuted, suggesting that the far-right disturbances occurring over the past week were managed more severely compared to other recent events, like the demonstrations opposing the war in Gaza.

He expressed to Sky News, "I found it completely inappropriate for someone to yell 'Allahu Akbar' in the streets of London without being promptly detained, or for someone to broadcast genocidal slogans onto Big Ben without facing immediate arrest.

"Such a mindset is incorrect."

Muslim leaders have condemned the statements made by a former Conservative minister, who is one of six candidates vying for leadership of the party, labeling his comments as Islamophobic.

Labour MP Afzal Khan described "Allahu Akbar" as the Muslim counterpart to "Hallelujah," while his fellow MP Naz Shah mentioned that the phrase is universally used by Muslims during prayers. She also suggested that Mr. Jenrick should "apologize, engage with Muslim communities, and deepen his understanding of our religion."

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In response to criticism, the ex-immigration minister reiterated his stance by sharing a video on X, which showed a procession in Bolton where participants were heard chanting "Allahu Akbar".

He stated: "Millions of British Muslims utter 'Allahu Akbar' in a peaceful and spiritual manner in their everyday lives. However, the aggressive shouting heard here is intimidating and menacing.

"It constitutes a violation according to Sections 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act."

However, other high-ranking Conservatives charged him with attempting to rationalize his comments instead of offering an apology.

Baroness Warsi, once a Conservative cabinet minister, directly confronted Mr. Jenrick on X, stating: "No Robert, you cannot appear on national broadcasts and make a statement, only to later act as if you said something different!"

"If you truly believe that your remarks on Sky News were inappropriate, offensive, inflammatory, and anti-Muslim (as they indeed were), then you should begin by issuing an apology.

"Then you can resume acting like a suitable contender for the helm of our party."

Ex-Tory Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad stated that the remarks exacerbate Islamophobia "during a period of heightened community tensions."

He stated: "There's no need to justify your remarks – simply say sorry!"

Mr. Jenrick was also the subject of reproach from Muslim groups, with the Muslim Council of Britain stating that his comment "demonstrates that institutional Islamophobia remains prevalent within the Conservative Party."

In reaction to Ms. Rayner’s statements, a representative for Mr. Jenrick stated: “Robert has unequivocally condemned any form of chaos, be it instigated by extreme right-wing groups or resulting from reactionary violence by factional gangs.”

"No Labour politician has stepped up in this way yet. What the nation requires is decisive leadership, not timidity."

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