‘We’re living in fear’: As riots and protests bring havoc to UK, Manchester's religious leaders aren't surprised

Greater Manchester Mosques have been on high alert this weekend.

Violent scenes following the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport on Monday (July 29) quickly spread across the UK. On Saturday (August 3), they arrived in Manchester.

A demonstration organised under the banner of 'Enough is Enough' in the city centre became violent as attendees clashed with counter protesters and police. Fights broke out, a supermarket had to be closed and public transport was brought to a standstill.

Today (August 4), what had initially been a largely peaceful encounter turned ugly following the arrival of around 300 mostly Asian counter-protesters. Missiles were launched at police.

Worse violence has broken out in other parts of England and Northern Ireland. In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers was stormed and set alight by what Prime Minister Kier Starmer later described as 'far right thugs'.

For some religious leaders in Manchester, they told the M.E.N it came as 'no surprise'.

READ MORE: Missiles launched as riot police clash with 300 counter protesters on weekend of violence in Greater Manchester

Unrest followed the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday, with 147 arrests made since Saturday alone.

Prior to 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana being charged with murder, rumours spread on social media the crime had been committed by a Muslim illegal immigrant. Despite being debunked, these rumours sowed seeds of anti-Islamic rhetoric. Initial demonstrations saw Southport's local Mosque attacked.

For Jawad Amin, a community engagement officer at the Cheadle Masjid, the islamophobia was expected. "I'm not that surprised that this is happening," he told the M.E.N bluntly.

"This