Several nations have issued safety warnings to their citizens in the UK after nearly a week of far-right riots and anti-immigration protests across the country.
Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia have all sent out alerts, advising their nationals either living in the UK or visiting the country to stay away from the disorder.
The first riot broke out near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday last week in the wake of a stabbing attack that left three young girls dead.
Misinformation shared online falsely claimed the suspect was a “Muslim immigrant”, others wrongly claimed he was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat. He was later named as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana – who was born in the UK to Rwandan parents.
However, riots have still taken place near other mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
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The three countries that have issued safety alerts each have high populations of Muslim people among their populations.
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Just over half of Nigeria’s approximately 220 million people are reported to be Muslim, while around 60% of the population of Malaysia and around 80% of the population of Indonesia are said to practice the religion.
A “travel alert” issued by Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs, based in the African country’s capital Abuja, states that there is “an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK”, noting that “the violence has assumed dangerous proportions”.
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The alert continues: “Demonstrations by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large, and in some instances unruly.”
Read more:Why are people rioting?First group of people involved in riots appear in courtAsylum seekers ‘slept in woods’ as rioters targeted hotel
Image: Rioters targeted a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Pic: Danny Laws
Meanwhile the High Commission of Nigeria, based in London, said it is “closely monitoring” the riots and has urged members of the Nigerian community in the UK to be “extra vigilant, stay away from protest areas and avoid large gatherings”.
It came as Malaysia’s ministry of foreign affairs issued an “urgent” notice to its citizens living in the UK.
The ministry said in its notice: “Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.”
It also “strongly encouraged” people to register with it to “receive timely information and assistance”.
The Indonesian embassy in London also issued a warning, advising its citizens in the UK to avoid large crowds and increase their vigilance.
Many countries around the world, including the US, Germany and Denmark, issued travel advice to their citizens following riots in England in summer 2011.
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UK’s six days of violence
More than 400 people have been arrested across the country since the riots first broke out last Tuesday.
Police officers have been seriously injured dealing with disorder in towns and cities including London, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Bolton and Sunderland.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to do “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” as he addressed the nation on Sunday.
Source : Sky News
