'Parts of London feels like Muslim city': Reform UK mayor candidate's 'burqa' remarks sparks backlash
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "'Parts of London feels like Muslim city': Reform UK mayor candidate's 'burqa' remarks sparks backlash")
Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham Photograph: (Facebook)
Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham sparked outrage after saying Muslims wearing burqas should face stop-and-search checks. Her remarks drew sharp criticism from Mayor Sadiq Khan and Muslim leaders, who warned they fuel division and embolden anti-Muslim abuse.
Reform UK’s mayoral candidate for London Laila Cunningham has sparked a controversy after she said that Muslims wearing the burqa should be subjected to stop and search. She suggested that no one should cover their face “in an open society.” She also said that someone hiding their face should be seen as a criminal. She claimed that there are parts of London that looks like a “Muslim city.” Cunningham is herself a British-born Muslim of Egyptian descent. She has been announced as Reform’s candidate for the 2028 mayoral elections last week.
Speaking at a podcast, she said, “If you go to parts of London, it does feel like a Muslim city. The signs are written in a different language. You’ve got burqas being sold in markets.” She said there should be “one civic culture” and it “should be British.” She added, “It has to be assumed that if you’re hiding your face, you’re hiding it for a criminal reason.”
Laila Cunningham slammed by many for her remarks
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that politicians who "sow division" undermine London's strength, which he said comes from diversity and freedom of religion. Slamming her remarks, Shaista Gohir, the CEO of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, said that it is “dangerous” and a “dog whistle” to racists. The Guardian quoted Gohir saying that despite Cunningham’s background she was “sending a message to Muslims that they do not belong” and “emboldening people who already abuse Muslims and influencing those people who are reading this misinformation.” Afzal Khan, the Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, was also quoted by The Guardian saying that Cunningham’s comments a “deliberate and cynical ploy”, adding, “This is all about divisive ideas being pumped into the society deliberately for electoral benefits.”
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