The Muslim hero who took on an anti-Semitic abuser.

 

The Muslim hero who took on an anti-Semitic abuser and went viral tells GLAMOUR she could 'never sit back and watch another family being racially abused'

Asma Shuweikh tells EIC Deborah Joseph at BBC why she “could never sit back and watch another family being racially abused, because I know how that feels.”

What would you do if you saw a young family being racially abused on public transport? Would you put your headphones on and turn up the music? Would you think about doing something, but be too scared in case the abuser turned on you? Or would you stand up in the face of hate, in spite of that risk to yourself, and defend those being attacked?

For 36-year-old, London-born, mother of two, Asma Shuweikh, the decision could not have been clearer. Last week, when she found herself in the same London tube carriage as a Jewish couple with three young children, who were being bombarded with vile anti-Semitic rhetoric, she stepped in and confronted the ‘attacker’ – and has been hailed a hero ever since.

A woman who was praised for intervening to stop anti-Semitic abuse said she hopes her story can inspire others.

Asma Shuweikh, was reunited with the father of the family that was racially abused while travelling on the London Underground.

"We spoke about our common ground," she told the BBC. "We should learn to get along in this multi-faith world."

A man has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence.

In a video shared on social media a man was filmed reading Bible passages which are interpreted as being anti-Semitic to two boys in skullcaps travelling on the Northern Line.

Ms Shuweikh, who was widely praised for confronting the man in the video, said she "wouldn't hesitate to do it again" and wished more people had intervened.

"The kids looked terrified. I'm a mother and I couldn't just stand by," she said.

"As a practising Muslim I can't see injustice and not intervene. It goes against what we are taught."

Meeting with the father, who has chosen not to be named, was "really, really nice", she said.

"We spent an hour talking. At the end of the day we all need to get along as we all live in this country.

"That's what's nice about Britain. it's a multi-cultural society.

"I hope that people see this story and realise when you go through these things we can come together and something good can come from.