WomenInternational Newshate speechislamophobia

Women Who Confronted White Supremacists Together Reunite After Rally

"It is very important to have solidarity and to show that if something happens to this person they’re not on their own.”
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By 

Religion Reporter, HuffPost

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Saffiyah Khan & Saira Zafar.
SWNS

On Saturday, Saffiyah Khan stepped into the center of an English Defense League rally in Birmingham, England, to support a counter-protestor wearing a hijab. The image of Khan facing off with an angry white supremacist, went viral over the weekend, with thousands on social media admiring her cool, smiling demeanor in the middle of a tense situation. 

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File photo dated 08/04/17 of Saffiyah Khan (left) staring down English Defence League (EDL) protester Ian Crossland during a demonstration in Birmingham, as she has said she was "not scared in the slightest" during the tense confrontation.
PA Wire/PA Images

On Monday, Khan finally met up with Saira Zafar, the Muslim woman she saw being surrounded by protestors.

“I do really appreciate the fact that you did step in,” Zafar told Khan in a Guardian Wires video. “It is very important to have solidarity and to show that if something happens to this person they’re not on their own.” 

Zafar told The Guardian that she was attending a protest countering the EDL message. The EDL is a far-right, anti-Islam and anti-immigrant group.

Zafar said she was holding a sign that read, “No to Islamophobia, No to War.” The Muslim woman, who was born in England, said that she was subjected to a “horrific” racist response, with people telling her that she isn’t English, and that England is supposed to be a Christian country. 

Zafar also said that some protestors began shoving EDL signs and flags close to her face, and grouped around her in a circle. 

That’s when Khan and a few other counter-protestors decided to intervene. 

“I wasn’t going to let someone who was speaking the truth and being replied to aggressively be put in that position. You didn’t look like you wanted to be there and I have an intrinsic problem with that,” Khan told The Guardian.

During that altercation, Khan came face to face with EDL member Ian Crossland. Press Association photographer Joe Giddens captured that moment in the viral photo.

Khan cooly kept her hands in her pockets and stared Crossland down.

“I wasn’t scared in the slightest,” Khan told The Mirror. “I stay pretty calm in these situations. I knew they were trying to provoke me, but I wasn’t going to be provoked.”

Since the protest, EDL members have claimed on Twitter that a scuffle broke out after counter-protestors disrupted a moment of silence for victims of terror attacks.

In an interview with the BBC, Khan said the claim was “an attempt at a smear because the story is in my favor.”

Zafar said that the support she received from other counter-protestors showed “solidarity for humanity.”

“Together we defeated the EDL, I would say, at that rally,” Zafar told Khan.

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Before You Go

Muslim Women Protesting Around The World
New York, 2017(01 of55)
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New York Police Department officers arrest organizer Linda Sarsour who was taking part in a 'Day Without a Woman' march on International Women's Day in New York, U.S., March 8, 2017. (credit:Lucas Jackson / Reuters)
California, 2017(02 of55)
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Women demonstrate in support of a ruling by a federal judge in Seattle that granted a nationwide temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump's ban on travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries, at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Feb. 4, 2017. (credit:David McNew via Getty Images)
Pennsylvania, 2017(03 of55)
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A Muslim women holds a sign during anti-travel ban protests outside Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Jan. 29, 2017. (credit:Charles Mostoller / Reuters)
New York, 2017(04 of55)
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Women wearing U.S. flag hijabs are pictured during an "I am Muslim Too" rally in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, U.S. Feb. 19, 2017. (credit:Carlo Allegri / Reuters)
New York, 2017(05 of55)
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A woman in the crowd chants in opposition to the Muslim Ban in New York City on Feb. 11, 2017. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
New York, 2017(06 of55)
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Muslim women pray before a protest in lower Manhattan against the polices of President Donald Trump on Feb. 1, 2017, in New York City. (credit:Spencer Platt via Getty Images)
New York, 2017(07 of55)
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A Muslim girl holds a sign during the protest against Trump's executive orders, including the banning of Muslims from certain countries from entering the United States. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
Washington, 2017(08 of55)
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Ayla Ali (L-R), and her Somali refugee family members, cousin Ryan Adem and aunt Maryan Farah, listen to speakers at a rally for immigrants and refugees in Seattle, Washington on Jan. 29, 2017. (credit:JASON REDMOND via Getty Images)
Illinois, 2017(09 of55)
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A woman yells as she protests President Donald Trump's executive order at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 29, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (credit:JOSHUA LOTT via Getty Images)
Massachusetts, 2017(10 of55)
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Eight year-old Esma, an Irish-Moroccan-American, prays with other Muslim women during a Boston protest against President Donald Trump's executive order travel ban. (credit:Brian Snyder / Reuters)
Massachusetts, 2017(11 of55)
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Muslim women pray during a protest against President Donald Trump's travel ban on Jan. 29, 2017. (credit:Brian Snyder / Reuters)
Massachusetts, 2017(12 of55)
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A woman holds a sign during a protest in Copley Square in Boston on Jan. 29, 2017. (credit:Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Canada, 2017(13 of55)
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Muslim women join in a massive protest against President Trump's travel ban during the National Day of Action against Islamophobia and White Supremacy in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 4, 2017. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Canada, 2017(14 of55)
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A Muslim woman in tears during a rally against Islamophobia and white supremacy in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 4, 2017. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Canada, 2017(15 of55)
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A Muslim girl holds a sign with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. during a protest outside of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 30, 2017. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Canada, 2017(16 of55)
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A Muslim woman holding a sign during a massive protest against President Trump's travel ban outside of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 30, 2017. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Australia, 2017(17 of55)
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A Muslim woman holds a sign during a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies in Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 3, 2017. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Italy, 2017(18 of55)
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A woman holds banner, reading '#NoMuslimBan' during a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies outside the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy on Feb. 2, 2017. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Austria, 2017(19 of55)
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Muslims and Austrian citizens attend a protest against a headscarves ban proposed by the government's ruling coalition in Vienna, Austria on Feb. 4, 2017. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
New York, 2015(20 of55)
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A Muslim woman displays a sign as she joins other human rights activists during a demonstration in New York on Dec. 10, 2015 in solidarity for Syrian and Iraqi refugees. (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
U.K., 2016(21 of55)
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Protesters gather to demonstrate in support of the people of Aleppo. The protest was intended to show anger at the inaction of the international community in the face of catastrophic bombings in Aleppo. (credit:Mike Kemp via Getty Images)
U.K., 2016(22 of55)
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Protesters from different societies stage a demonstration outside the French Embassy in London, to show support for Muslim women on Aug. 25, 2016, after 15 French towns introduced and started to enforce a ban on the burkini. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
U.K., 2016(23 of55)
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Women join a demonstration organized by 'Stand up to Racism' outside the French Embassy in London on Aug. 26, 2016, against the burkini ban on French beaches. (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
U.K., 2016(24 of55)
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A woman joins a demonstration organized by 'Stand up to Racism' outside the French Embassy in London on Aug. 26, 2016, against the burkini ban on French beaches. (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Belgium, 2016(25 of55)
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Women cheer in Antwerp at a beach party protest against the ban of burkinis in France. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
France, 2016(26 of55)
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Women hold signs reading, "It is not a provocation, just my freedom of conscience" during a headscarf march against Islamophobia in Avignon, southern France. (credit:FRANCK PENNANT via Getty Images)
Greece, 2016(27 of55)
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Migrants and refugees from camps around the city gather outside the consulate of Germany in Thessaloniki on Sept. 1, 2016 to protest against the difficult living conditions in the camps and to ask for the opening of the borders. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Greece, 2016(28 of55)
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Migrant women from Syria and Afghanistan march outside the Parliament with their children. Around 2,000 refugees and migrants from Asia, along with Greek supporters, protested against the migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey that would send refugees from Greece to Turkey. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
Greece, 2016(29 of55)
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Protesters demonstrate against discrimination of Muslim women in Athens, Greece on Aug. 30, 2016 after 15 French towns introduced and started to enforce a ban on the burkini. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Yemen, 2016(30 of55)
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Children and women protest outside the United Nations offices against Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Jan. 21, 2016. (credit:Khaled Abdullah / Reuters)
Indonesia, 2016(31 of55)
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Muslim women hold signs during a protest calling for an end to the violence in Aleppo, Syria outside the Russian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 19, 2016. (credit:Darren Whiteside / Reuters)
India, 2016(32 of55)
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Kashmir Muslim women protest during the funeral of Javaid Ahmad on Sept. 11, 2016, in Srinagar. Ahmad was injured when Indian government forces fired at him during a protest. Anti-India protests in Kashmir were aimed against Indian rule and the killing of a young rebel commander Burhan Wani. The protests have triggered a heavy crackdown by Indian government forces, along with strict curfews. (credit:Yawar Nazir via Getty Images)
Australia, 2016(33 of55)
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A Muslim woman holds a rose at a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney on July 16, 2016. Some 300 people gathered at the rally in Sydney to demonstrate against racism in Australia and elsewhere, as racial tensions in the US simmer over the killing of black men by police. (credit:PETER PARKS via Getty Images)
U.K., 2015(34 of55)
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Demonstrators protest against Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi while he met with Britain's Prime Minister in London, Britain, on Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:Luke MacGregor / Reuters)
Egypt, 2015(35 of55)
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A news photographer with her mouth taped holds up her camera during a protest against the detention of Ahmed Ramadan, a photojournalist with Egyptian private newspaper "Tahrir," in front of the Syndicate of Journalists in Cairo, Egypt on Aug. 17, 2015. (credit:Amr Dalsh / Reuters)
Turkey, 2015(36 of55)
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Members of the Peace Mothers face police officers during a protest against a suicide bombing that killed 33 young activists on July 20, 2015, in the town of Suruc. The activists had been planning to travel across the border into Syria to help rebuild the town of Kobane. The bomber reportedly had links to Islamic State militants. (credit:ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images)
Afghanistan, 2015(37 of55)
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Afghans from the Hmbastagi party (Solidarity Party of Afghanistan) wear masks during a protest to condemn the killing of 27-year-old woman, Farkhunda, who was beaten with sticks and set on fire by a crowd of men in central Kabul in broad daylight. (credit:Omar Sobhani / Reuters)
The Philippines, 2015(38 of55)
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Muslim women gesture as they join hundreds of peace advocates in a march towards the House of Representatives in Quezon City, on May 11, 2015. (credit:Ezra Acayan / Reuters)
Ukraine, 2014(39 of55)
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Tatar women visit Kiev's Maidan Square during International Women's Day in 2014 to protest for Ukraine Unity. The Tatar are a Muslim minority from the Crimean region. (credit:Monique Jaques via Getty Images)
Nigeria, 2014(40 of55)
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Women holding signs take part in a protest demanding the release of abducted secondary school girls from the remote village of Chibok, in Lagos May 5, 2014. (credit:Akintunde Akinleye / Reuters)
Albania, 2012(41 of55)
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Women hold pictures of the two ethnic Albanian men killed by an off-duty ethnic Macedonian policeman, at a mass protest on the city square in the western Macedonian city of Gostivar on March 1, 2012. (credit:ROBERT ATANASOVSKI via Getty Images)
Egypt, 2012(42 of55)
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Egyptian Muslim women shout slogans as tens of thousands wave national flags during a rally on Jan. 25, 2012, in Cairo's Tahrir Square to mark the first anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, while a debate raged over whether the rally was a celebration or a second push for change. (credit:MAHMUD HAMS via Getty Images)
Nigeria, 2012(43 of55)
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Muslim women protest against a hike in oil prices during a rally at Gani Fawehinmi Partk, Ojota district in Lagos on Jan. 13, 2012. (credit:PIUS UTOMI EKPEI via Getty Images)
New York, 2011(44 of55)
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An unidentified woman protests against the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Times Square on Feb. 4, 2011, in New York City. According to published reports, about 500 people gathered behind police barricades calling for the long-time Egyptian leader's ouster. (credit:Spencer Platt via Getty Images)
Morocco, 2011(45 of55)
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A woman prays as thousands of Moroccans demonstrate against the regime led by King Mohammed VI on Feb. 20, 2011, in Rabat, Morocco. Thousands of Moroccans from diverse backgrounds and ages took to the streets to protest in Casablanca, Tangier and Rabat. The protests in Morocco, which follow uprisings in neighboring countries, were mostly peaceful. (credit:Spencer Platt via Getty Images)
Sudan, 2010(46 of55)
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Sudanese women who were earlier arrested for protesting against laws they say humiliate women speak at a news conference at the Umma Party headquarters in Omdurman Dec. 14, 2010. The women were arrested for protesting on Tuesday after a video of a woman being flogged in public appeared on the Internet. The banner reads, "No violence against women". (credit:STR New / Reuters)
China, 2009(47 of55)
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Chinese riot police watch a Muslim ethnic Uighur woman protest in Urumqi in China's far west Xinjiang province on July 7, 2009, following a third day of unrest. Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of Han Chinese protesters armed with makeshift weapons and vowing revenge, as chaos gripped this flashpoint city riven by ethnic tensions following rioting that claimed at least 156 lives. Authorities ordered a night curfew and thousands of heavily armed police deployed across Urumqi. (credit:PETER PARKS via Getty Images)
Sudan, 2009(48 of55)
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A Sudanese woman shouts slogans during a demonstration against the Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip in Khartoum Jan. 5, 2009. (credit:STR New / Reuters)
Iran, 2004(49 of55)
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Tens of thousands of Iranians rallied in Enghelab Square to protest US and British bombing of Najaf and Karbala, two of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims. (credit:Ramin Talaie via Getty Images)
West Bank, 2004(50 of55)
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Muslim school girl holds a portrait of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and a national flag as she joins other women among hundreds of demonstrators protesting the construction of the controversial Israeli security fence which goes over their land in the West Bank village of Budrus, some 15 kms west of Ramallah Jan. 1, 2004. (credit:JAMAL ARURI via Getty Images)
Iraq, 2004(51 of55)
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Tearful Iraqi Muslim women protest against the mistreatment of prisoners and demand the release of detainees at the entrance of Abu Ghraib prison in May 2004. An apology by US President George W. Bush for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US troops failed to quell the anger of US allies. (credit:RAMZI HAIDAR via Getty Images)
France, 2004(52 of55)
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A Muslim woman demonstrates in the street against the French proposal to bar Muslim women from wearing headscarves in state schools on Jan. 17, 2004, in Paris, France. (credit:Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images)
Germany, 2004(53 of55)
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Muslim women demonstrate Jan. 17, 2004, in Berlin during a protest against plans to ban the Islamic headscarf in the German public service. Some 500 women attended the rally for freedom of religion. (credit:FABIAN MATZERATH via Getty Images)
Pakistan, 2001(54 of55)
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Pakistani women raise their hands in a prayer at a rally Oct. 6, 2001, in Islamabad, Pakistan. They condemned the terrorist attacks in the United States while demanding an investigation and trial take place by the International Court of Justice. (credit:Visual News via Getty Images)
Iran, 1980(55 of55)
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A group of women protest against wearing Islamic Veil, while spinning their veils in the air, outside the prime minister's offices on July 6, 1980, in Tehran, Iran. (credit:Kaveh Kazemi via Getty Images)
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