Last month, a letter that encouraged people to "Punish a Muslim" on 3 April started to appear across the UK. The letter was also sent to Muslim MPs.
'Punish a Muslim Day' - we continue to receive reports of letters received from across the country. Now into double figures. Please report them into us at Tell MAMA or to 101. We are working with police forces on this malicious campaign. https://t.co/4bph2RVBcv
Counterterrorism police are investigating the letter.
According to police the threats have spread to the US. A "Punish a Muslim" letter was sent to a resident in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Anti-Muslim flyers circulating in this country and abroad.
Viral messages on WhatsApp have been asking Muslims to remain vigilant or even stay indoors.
I've been seeing Whatsapp messages, snaps, Facebook statuses & other folks telling Muslims, particularly hijabi women, not go out tomorrow because of "Punish a Muslim Day." Every woman should do what makes her feel comfortable, but I am choosing to go about my normal day. Try me.
Jamilla Hekmoun, a 24-year-old researcher, and Umar, a 22-year-old student from London, saw the letter spreading on social media and decided to create the hashtag #ProtectAMuslimDay.
3rd of April has been planned as a "PunishAMuslimDay" To help our community feel safe, we have organised the #ProtectAMuslimDay initiative. We have organised volunteers from around the UK to help you if you feel unsafe on the day, call: 07985606148 or 07985601849. More info 👇🏼 https://t.co/XbzWd9qMC5
Hekmoun told BuzzFeed News that they felt concerned that nothing was being done to make people feel safe.
They said, "The government haven't said who the letters have come from and how many were sent so people got more scared due to this lack of information."
The initiative works by people calling the numbers on the flyer if they want someone to walk with them or someone to stay on the phone with them.
* Especially sisters with a hijab. Be sure people know where you and where you are going at all times. * SPREAD THE WORD GUYS🗣🗣🗣 https://t.co/k4932fsPf5
After they call the number, the organisers will contact one of the volunteers that will have signed up on a Google doc. So far they have over 100 volunteers.
3rd April is Punish a Muslim day and we’re organising a response from Muslims nationwide. We need you to sign up to help out on the day, PLEASE take a second to read through the form, and SIGN UP ESPECIALLY BROTHERS. SHARE and RT #ProtectAMuslim https://t.co/Se9HWvUOPl
People love the initiative.
If any of my Muslim friends are feeling unsafe today, a really great initiative has been set up for #ProtectAMuslimDay. My DM’s are open. Big up @JamillaTweets & @DerrKaiser for leading this. https://t.co/PVuv4dYkhB
#ProtectAMuslimDay sounds awesome. Share for people who fear #PunishAMuslimDay https://t.co/7ZrBki9OHd
And are spreading the word.
Tell a friend to tell a friend #ProtectAMuslimDay https://t.co/CspkzytOqT
The Met Police say they have received "no credible information" to suggest that hate crimes will be committed on 3 April. They said an investigation is being lead by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, to find those responsible for the letter.