Far-right terrorists relying on conspiracy theories to justify anti-Muslim hate, research finds

Tell MAMA watchdog reported a surge in Islamophobic incidents following Christchurch mosque attacks

A police officer stands in a park near the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sunday, March 15, 2020. A national memorial in New Zealand to commemorate the 51 people who were killed when a gunman attacked two mosques one year ago has been canceled due to fears over the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)Show less

Anti-Muslim extremists often rely on “genocidal notions of population control” and false conspiracy theories to justify their hate, new research has found.

Tell MAMA, a UK-based watchdog which tracks racist incidents, also revealed it had received reports of 705 Islamophobic incidents between January 1 and June 30 2019 while police recorded 1,213 similar allegations over the same time period.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, flanked by Minister of Housing Megan Woods, lefts and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, attend a prayer service at the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch on March 13, 2020. AFP

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets members of the Muslim community at the prayer service to mark the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019 that left 51 people dead. AFP

Members of the Muslim community arrive for the prayer service at the Horncastle Arena. AFP

A police stands guard as part of tight security measures at the arena. AFP

Worshippers from the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch arrive for the prayer service. Reuters

Members of the Muslim community arrive to take part in the prayer service at Horncastle Arena on March 13, 2020. AFP

A police officer stands guard outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on March 13, 2020. AFP

A view of Al Noor mosque in Christchurch where a gunman killed 42 people before attacking Linwood Islamic Centre. AFP

Flowers and messages placed outside the Al Noor mosque two days ahead of the first anniversary of the shooting there. AFP

A message of solidarity on a rock left in front Al Noor mosque. AFP

Aya Al Umari,, whose brother Hussein was one of the shooting victims, outside Al Noor Mosque. Reuters

Farid Ahmed, a survivor of the shooting, leaves after attending prayers at Horncastle Arena on March 13, 2020. His wife was killed in the attack but he has publicly forgiven the shooter. AFP

Farid Ahmed also addressed the prayer service. AFP

Members of the Muslim community leave Horncastle Arena after the prayer service. AFP

Taj Mohammed Kamra, a survivor of the mosque attacks, leaves after the prayer service at Horncastle Arena. AFP

The monitoring group reported a 692 per cent increase in anti-Muslim attacks in the UK in the week after the Christchurch mosque shootings in which 51 worshippers were murdered by an avowed white supremacist in New Zealand.

The terror attacks on the two mosques “had a significant effect in the UK, resulting in a rapid but long-lasting increase in anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia,” Tell MAMA said.

Jumayah Jones, a survivor of the Christchurch terror attacks, prays at the Al Noor Mosque on August 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Al Noor Mosque is seen on August 24, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Graves of the Christchurch terror attack victims in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Cards and letters of support from an Islamic school in Lakemba, Sydney are seen at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Young students learn Arabic and read the Quran during weekend teachings at the Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images

Messages of love and compassion remain surrounded by flowers at the entrance to the Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images

Members of the Linwood Islamic Centre congregation and visiting muslims embrace each other as Friday Prayer concludes on August 23, 2019. Getty Images

Taj Mohammad Kamra, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor Mosque, shows a photo of himself and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, at Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images

A mural painted by artist, Loretta Lizzio is seen on a silo in the suburb of Bruswick in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images

Omar Nabi, whose father Daoud Nabi was killed at Al Noor mosque, speaks to the media after leaving Christchurch High Court on April 05, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

A young boy holds a placard as he takes part in a vigil to remember the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks, on March 24, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

A coffin containing the body of a victim of the Christchurch mosque attacks is carried during a mass burial at Memorial Park Cemetery on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Zahid Mustafa, centre, whose father Khaled Mustafa and brother Hamza Mustafa were killed at Al Noor mosque, attends Friday prayers in Hagley Park near Al Noor mosque on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

The Titans players embrace for a minutes silence in memory of the victims on March 15, 2019. Getty Images

Fifty pairs of white shoes have been laid in front of All Souls Anglican Church in honour of victims who lost their lives on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Youngsters perform a Haka during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Schoolgirls write messages on a banner during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Hamzah Noor Yahaya, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor mosque, stands in front of Christchurch Hospital at the end of a lockdown and waits to be picked up by his wife on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

An armed police officer patrols past flowers and tributes outside Al Noor mosque on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images

Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator, has since been found to have been immersed in ‘eco-fascism’  in common with many other far-right supporters. The highly racialised theory relies on “genocidal notions” of population control and saving the environment.

“This report also shows global anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia has become. An attack against a Christchurch mosque had significant impacts and a large measurable spike in anti-Muslim hate incidents in the United Kingdom was picked up by Tell MAMA,” said Iman Atta, director of the monitor.

“This showed a latency of anti-Muslim hate in some sections of communities in this country which were triggered by an attack against Muslims thousands of miles away; what is perverse is that instead of empathy and sympathy with British Muslims who felt the pain of their co-religionists in New Zealand, some thought is appropriate to spread more hate and intolerance at this sensitive and deeply distressing time,” she added.

Tell MAMA also received extensive evidence suggesting a more engrained anti-Muslim attitude in society such as the denial of fair access to goods, services, in the workplace or education institutions. There has also be an increase in incidents directly targeting mosques or Islamic institutions.

The monitor said it received its reports through an array of platforms including its website, social media and messaging platforms, as well as from police forces.