Standing Against Rising Racism in the UK
When “Go Back to Your Country” Hits Different
I’ve been putting off writing this blog for weeks now. But after hearing about another refugee friend getting his car vandalised, after seeing the mosques attacked with “This is England” graffiti, after watching the fear in my community’s eyes when they take public transport – I can’t stay quiet anymore.
The racism against refugees in the UK isn’t just getting worse. It’s becoming normalised. And as someone who’s been here for years, who’s contributed, who’s built a life – I need to say something.
The Reality Check
Let me paint you a picture of what’s actually happening. Last year alone, police recorded 140,561 hate crimes in England and Wales. That’s not just a number – that’s 140,561 times someone was targeted because of who they are.
After the Southport attack, lies spread faster than wildfire. False claims that the perpetrator was Muslim got 27 million views in 24 hours. Within days, mobs were attacking mosques, refugee hotels, and anyone who looked “foreign” to them. The lies travelled faster than the truth, and real people paid the price.
My friends are telling me stories that make my blood boil. Being told to “go back where you came from” whilst waiting for the bus. Their cars were keyed because they were parked outside a mosque. Being followed home after shopping. This isn’t isolated incidents – this is a pattern.
Who Am I to Speak?
I’m Md Mominul Hamid. Yes, I came here as a refugee. Yes, I was once a victim of trafficking who needed sanctuary. But that’s not where my story ends – that’s where it begins.
I’m a law graduate who took the Home Office to court and won education rights for asylum seekers. I’m a Lay Observer for the Ministry of Justice, making sure our justice system treats vulnerable people with dignity. I’m a trustee for organisations supporting young homeless people and trafficking survivors. I’m an Accredited Mediator helping people resolve conflicts.
But beyond all these titles, I’m someone who’s spent years proving that refugees don’t take from this country – we add to it.
My Challenge to the Hatred
To anyone reading this who thinks refugees are “taking your country away” – let’s have that conversation. Properly. Face to face. Because I want to show you what I’ve actually been doing whilst you’ve been complaining:
I’ve volunteered with the fire service during emergencies. I’ve run food banks when people were hungry. I’ve supported trafficking survivors through their darkest moments. I’ve used my legal knowledge to fight for justice. I’ve contributed to my community every single day.
So tell me – what exactly am I taking away from this country?
The Quote That Shapes Everything
There’s something I always tell people: “There is no you or me, it’s all about us. This is the reason why we’re not making great strides as much as this great nation deserves, because we give over-emphasis on I and not we.”
This is what the racists don’t understand. When they attack refugees, they’re not protecting Britain – they’re weakening it. When they create division, they’re stopping us from solving the real problems we all face.
Housing crisis? We need to work together on solutions, not blame immigrants. Job insecurity? We need to support each other, not scapegoat asylum seekers. Community breakdown? We need to build bridges, not walls.
Sgiriya, Lions Rock- Srilanka, July 2025
This year, when I met my family in Sri Lanka after 15 years, I brought Great Britain t-shirts for everyone from PrimeArk, which was made in Bangladesh, by the way. When people saw us wearing them in Srilanka, they kept asking, “Are you all from London?” (They call the UK “London. I told them yes, I am. My whole family wore those shirts happily to support me. Even in Spain, wearing my England cricket team shirt in Vigo, I felt that same pride representing my country. These aren’t just clothes – they’re symbols of who I am and where I belong. When people abroad see me wearing British symbols, they see Britain. That’s the responsibility I carry and the representation I’m proud of, and to emphasise Yes, I am proud and so is my British child who was born here as a British.
What This Hatred Actually Costs Us
Every time someone vandalises a refugee’s car, they’re not making Britain safer – they’re making it crueller. Every time someone harasses people on public transport, they’re not defending British values – they’re destroying them.
This racism silences doctors who could be treating patients. It traumatises engineers who could be building infrastructure. It breaks the spirits of teachers who could be educating children. It wastes the talents of people who came here to contribute.
When we focus on “I” instead of “we,” everyone loses.
Ready to Die for My Country
Yes, I said it and I mean it. I am ready to die for the United Kingdom. Not because it’s perfect, but because of what it represents – fairness, justice, the rule of law, the chance for everyone to build a better life.
When I challenged discriminatory policies in court, I risked everything because I believed in British justice. When I monitor custody suites as a Lay Observer, I’m protecting the dignity that British law promises everyone. When I support other survivors, I’m living British values of helping those who need it most.
This isn’t about papers or passports. This is about commitment. This is about contribution. This is about belonging.
The Britain I Know
I’ve seen the real Britain. When Simon Cronin rescued me from my traffickers and gave me shelter for three months, that was Britain. When my university supported my legal challenge – that was Britain. When communities welcomed refugees with friendship instead of fear—that was Britain.
The Britain I love doesn’t judge people by their accent or their appearance. It judges them by their character and their contribution. It stands up for the vulnerable. It offers second chances. It believes in justice over prejudice.
To My Fellow Refugees
If you’re reading this and you’re scared, I understand. The threats are real. The hatred hurts. But don’t let their anger make you smaller. Don’t let their fear stop you from contributing.
We belong here not because we’re perfect, but because we’re committed. Every time we help a neighbour, work hard, and raise children who will grow up British, we’re proving that this is our home too. Share your compassion and spend time with locals to show them what a good neighbourhood is all about. Volunteer in the community and help people the way you were helped always.
Remember: their hatred says nothing about us and everything about them.
To Everyone Else
Racism doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t create jobs, build houses, or improve schools. It just gives people someone to blame instead of working on real solutions.
But when we work together? When we focus on “we” instead of “I”? That’s when we build the country we all want to live in.
You don’t have to be a refugee to understand this. You have to be human.
Moving Forward Together
I won’t be silenced by racism. I won’t be driven away by hatred. I won’t apologise for belonging here.
This is my country too. I’ve earned my place through service, not through birthright. I’ve proven my loyalty through actions, not through words.
The racists can keep their hatred. I’ll keep building the Britain I believe in – where everyone who commits to our shared values has a place, regardless of where their journey began.
Because there is no you or me. It’s all about us. And until we understand that, we’ll never reach the greatness this nation truly deserves.
A Final Word
To those spreading hatred: you’re not protecting Britain. You’re preventing it from becoming all it could be.
To those building bridges: thank you. You’re the real patriots.
To my community: we’re stronger together. Always.
This is my country. This is our country. And I’m not going anywhere.
Author: Md Mominul Hamid is a law graduate, Lay Observer for the Ministry of Justice, trustee, and Accredited Mediator. His successful judicial review established the right to higher education for asylum seekers in the UK. He speaks regularly about refugee rights and community integration.
Sources for Statistics and Recent Incidents:
UK Government Hate Crime Statistics – GOV.UK
140,561 hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales (year ending March 2024)
Source: “Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2024” – gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-year-ending-march-2024
Social Media Misinformation Research – Amnesty International
27 million views for false claims about the Southport attacker within 24 hours
Tommy Robinson’s posts received 580 million views in two weeks post-Southport
Source: “UK: X’s design and policy choices created fertile ground for inflammatory, racist narratives” – amnesty.org
2025 Anti-Immigration Protests – Wikipedia
Details about mosque vandalism, hotel attacks, and community violence
Source: “2025 British anti-immigration protests” – en.wikipedia.org
Mosque Vandalism in Essex – Al Jazeera
South Essex Islamic Centre attack with “Christ is King” and “This is England” graffiti
Source: “UK Muslims report vandalism, attacks amid controversial flag campaign” – aljazeera.com
Racist Violence Documentation – Institute of Race Relations
Ongoing calendar of racist incidents across the UK
Source: “Calendar of Racism and Resistance” – irr.org.uk
Community Impact Studies – Stop Hate UK
Examples of daily harassment, car vandalism, and property damage
Source: “Racism in the UK” – stophateuk.org
Additional Context Sources:
Joint Statement Against Racism – Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
130+ organisations calling for end to racist rhetoric
Source: jcwi.org.uk/updates/our-statement-on-the-racist-attacks-across-the-uk
Academic Analysis – Al Jazeera Opinion
“The UK is slipping into racist dystopia” analysis
Source: aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/7/29/the-uk-is-slipping-into-racist-dystopia
