Sir, Glad to see your report on the massacre in Christchurch is different from the stories I have read. They are very comprehensive. Your editorial is on the mark that it is Islamophobia that is fuelling terrorist and other attacks against Muslims.

Murders of 50 Muslims in two mosques in New Zealand by far-right Christian terrorist was radicalised by other far-right extremists in Australia where he was from.

In addition in Australia, the media is Islamophobic and treats Muslims like they are all extremists. Many right-wing politicians have used Islamophobic narrative. All this radicalises people like Brenton Tarrant who then go commit heinous crimes against Muslims.

As you argue in your excellence editorial, “By creating an atmosphere of hatred in the public domain the far-right is increasingly using hatred against Muslims as a justification for their attacks.” And this was seen in Tarrant’s manifesto which was brilliantly analysed by Mahomed Fiazal ‘Crusading Islamophobia: from Breivik to Brenton’ [The Muslim News 29 March].

I was touched by the story by Shenaz Keramalli from Toronto which gave an account of how Muslims in Canada had to relive the murders in Quebec mosque when they saw the terrorist attacks in Christchurch. Muslims were frightened to go out to Friday prayers fearing attacks. But then, they refused to “let such violent hatred stop them from practising their faith.”

Following Christchurch attacks, threats were made against mosques in Canada. Christchurch attack was a wake-up call for Muslims. They need to fight actively against Islamophobia narratives not only by extremists but also by the so-called mainstream media and politicians. They need to call them out.

Yours,
Jamila Hussain
London