‘It just takes one person’: Singaporean Muslim living in UK on high alert amid anti-immigration riots

SINGAPORE: As riots fuelled by anti-immigrant sentiment spread across the United Kingdom, Singaporean Shereen Williams has been especially on edge over the past week – more so given that she is Muslim. 

“When you are a visible minority living in a country where some people out there have no qualms in spitting on you or hitting you … I live my life on high alert,” said the 42-year-old who lives in Wales.

Even simple acts like going out for lunch or walking on a sidewalk have made her “a bit more nervous”, she added.

“It just takes one person who behaves in that way to put your life at risk,” said Mrs Williams, who is chief executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, an independent public body in Wales. 

She is among thousands of Singaporeans living in the UK, some who shared their concerns with CNA about the escalating tensions there.  

The unrest erupted on Jul 30, a day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a dance class in the town of Southport near Liverpool.

Protesters were fuelled by anger and false rumours online that the suspected attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. The suspect was later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales. His parents had moved to Britain from Rwanda, which has very few Muslims.

That has not stopped mosques from being targeted by rioters.

The unrest spread to multiple towns and cities over the weekend. Skirmishes broke out at far-right rallies in places such as Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The Singapore High Commission in London said on Aug 4 that it is monitoring the situation in the UK.

“Singaporeans residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay vigilant and avoid the affected areas where possible,” the high commission said on X.