By Staff Writer
16:11:2021

The attempted hospital bombing in Liverpool, which saw the perpetrator, Emad Al Swealmeen, killed and the taxi driver injured, has been termed a terrorist attack, but one inspired by mental illness according to UK police, who have argued that no group affiliation could be established.

Swealmeen had his asylum status and ability to live in the UK recently rejected and had been purchasing the so-called bomb parts over seven months ago, according to police. This does raise questions over UK police, who notoriously have targeted Muslims and Muslim refugees but failed to spot this. Swealmeen’s asylum status is likely also influenced by the attack. Swealmeen, a Syrian refugee, who it now seems was born in Iraq and has family in Jordan, had converted to Christianity, with individuals close to him reiterating his mental health issues, which did likely play a role.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Imam Ajmal Masrour of the Abdullah Quilliam Masjid in Liverpool, argued that mental illness is the reason for most suicide bombings in the West, arguing that a failure to look at this was a purposeful attempt to cause division. While calling the attack horrendous and atrocious, Imam Masrour also pointed to the double standards within the UK, with the incident receiving scant coverage and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying little since the perpetrator was a Christian.

Imam Masrour also reiterated that all Liverpudlians were united against these attacks and rejected attempts at division, placing firm blame at the doors of media houses and right-wing politicians, which see in such means of increasing their appeal. A Masjid post condemning the bombing and advocating unity received thousands of comments, according to Imam Masrour.

UK police arrested four individuals, who were later released over the bombing.

The country’s refugee policy will likely come under further scrutiny, especially since many in the right are both Islamophobic and Arabophobic.

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