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LONDON: The UK’s home secretary has been asked to clarify her comments about the name Jihad, after British Arabs with the name warned that they face hate attacks after Thursday’s attack in Manchester.

Shabana Mahmood said in the wake of the synagogue attack: “As a Muslim, I’ve never heard someone being called Jihad.”

She was referring to the 35-year-old attacker Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national of Syrian descent who was killed at the scene.

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, called on Mahmood to issue an immediate clarification about her comments, which were widely reported in the media.

The name Jihad, which means to strive or to struggle, is a common Arabic name among both Christians and Muslims, Doyle said.

Mahmood’s comments have “escalated the risk to British Arabs called Jihad, who may suffer from hate attacks and abuse; several have reached out to CAABU about this,” a press release from the organization warned.

In his letter to her, Doyle highlighted prominent examples of the name: Jihad Azour, a Lebanese Christian former finance minister and current director of the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department; Hollywood actor Jihad Abdo; actor Jihad Saad; Syrian Christian economist Jihad Yazighi; businessman Jihad Salkini; and Syrian Christian former diplomat Jihad Makdisi.

“There are many, many others. The name of course, as you know, does not indicate any notion of war but the duty to strive to improve,” Doyle wrote, adding that some Arabs with the name, such as Abdo and Salkini, have adopted the anglicized nickname Jay due to hostility while living in the West.

British Arabs “working in all sectors of life” in the UK also have the name, Doyle said, warning that Mahmood’s comments have “very serious” implications on their lives.

“Several have reached out to me fearful of the impact of your words … What you said has inadvertently put them at risk from retaliatory attacks and abuse,” he added.

“These are names given to them at birth and have zero bearing as to what their political and religious beliefs may be.”

Doyle called on Mahmood to “put out an immediate clarification as soon as possible. I am sure you will agree the last thing we need is any further hate attacks or abuse.”

LONDON: London police arrested six people who displayed support for a banned pro-Palestinian group on Saturday and carried away protesters who gathered for a demonstration, despite requests to call it off after a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Two people were killed in the attack in the northwestern city on Thursday and police shot dead the assailant, a British man of Syrian descent who counter-terrorism police said may have been inspired by extremist Islamist ideology.

Organizers refused requests by the police and government to call off the demonstration, which had been announced before the attack, to protest against the banning of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.

STARMER CALLS FOR CALM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for calm in a post on X on Saturday morning, saying : “I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognize and respect the grief of British Jews.”

“This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain. It is a time to stand together,” he said.

Police said six people were arrested after unfurling a banner on Westminster Bridge outside parliament in support of Palestine Action, which was proscribed in July after members broke into an air base and damaged military planes.

Hundreds gathered for the main protest event in Trafalgar Square in central London, where police began carrying away protesters as seated activists wrote out slogans on placards declaring their support for Palestine Action. Onlookers chanted “shame on you” at officers.

The event is the latest in a series of protests, during which hundreds have been arrested for defying the government ban which makes it an offense to show support for Palestine Action.

Police said Saturday’s protests would draw resources away from security they have tightened around synagogues and mosques following Thursday’s attack.

Defend Our Juries, which organized Saturday’s protest, has condemned the attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, and urged police to focus on that, not policing the demonstration.

ANTISEMITIC AND ISLAMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS

Thursday’s attack followed incidents of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate in Britain this summer, and pro-Palestinian marchers have taken to the streets to denounce Israel, drawing criticism from some members of the Jewish community.

Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain have expressed fears for their safety.

Israel has been waging war on Hamas in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group carried out a deadly attack on southern Israel communities two years ago.

Israeli strikes killed several people in Gaza on Saturday although US President Donald Trump had urged it to stop its bombardment after Hamas said it was ready to release hostages and agreed to some aspects of a plan to halt the war.

Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain have expressed fears for their safety.

Hours after Thursday’s attack, pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at a demonstration outside Starmer’s office, drawing sharp condemnation from interior minister Shabana Mahmood who called their action dishonorable and un-British.