Tube passenger filmed saying ‘all Muslims are terrorists’ in London Underground rant
'I thought to myself this guy is obviously quite ignorant if he's going to say such comments,' said the student who filmed it
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A London Underground passenger has been filmed apparently labelling Muslims as “terrorists”.
An unnamed sociology student, who is herself a Muslim, said the “ignorant” commuter launched into the Islamophobic rant on the Jubilee Line near Stratford, east London.
Posting a video of the incident on Twitter, the 21-year-old wrote: “What happened to me today as soon as I got on the train and sat down... #Islamophobia.”
“I was on my way home, and got on the Jubilee line, and saw a vacant seat so I sat down. Not long after I had sat down, one of them starts speaking really loudly. He goes: ‘All muslims are terrorists’.”
“He realised I wasn't saying anything so carries on with his abuse. So what did I do? Turned around and smiled :).
“I thought to myself this guy is obviously quite ignorant if he's going to say such comments... but no point giving him an even bad impression of Muslims, than what he already has in mind.
“Living in London, one would think that Muslims especially hijabis would get a lot of abuse because of the way we're dressed... and people always do ask me if I've experienced any islamaphobic comments...Up till today I could proudly say I hadn't, but thank you to the guy on the train for ruining that :))”.
The incident comes in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks that left 28 people dead, which Isis claimed responsibility for.
Speaking after the incident, the young woman told the Evening Standard: "There were quite a lot of people and no-one said anything. People totally ignored it - I was shocked.
"I've never experienced anything like that. I've heard of it on the news but never thought I would personally experience it.
"It's become normal in society".
Race hate crimes on Britain’s railway networks have risen by 37 per cent in the past five years, an average of more than five reported incidents of abuse or harassment a day.
A British Transport Police spokesman said in a statement: “Everyone has the right to travel safely, and nobody should feel threatened or intimidated when using the rail network.
"Victims of hate crime should be assured that they will be taken seriously by the police and that we will not tolerate hate crime and take positive action to investigate all allegations, support victims and arrest offenders.
"We encourage people to report hate crime, no one should suffer in silence, so please report hate crime to us as soon as possible so we can act.
Anyone who has been a victim of hate crime or has witnessed an incident should contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.