It was the spontaneous putdown of the knife attacker that captured public feeling about the assault in Leytonstone underground station: “You ain’t no Muslim bruv.”
They were the words of a shocked onlooker, filmed on a mobile phone as police pinned the man to the floor after he was Tasered. The knife attacker had injured two people, one man seriously, before reportedly saying: “This is for Syria.”
The witness’s phrase quickly spread as people used #youaintnomuslimbruv to show their contempt for the suspected London tube station terrorist.
Among those who considered it the perfect riposte to attempts to spread violence and terror in London were the writers Tony Parsons and Bonnie Greer.
Parsons tweeted: “Proud of my city today. #YouAintNoMuslimBruv.” Greer tweeted: “Reports that someone yelled at perp: #YouAintNoMuslimBruv ! Yes..that sounds like a Londoner to me.”
The tweets reflected frustration in Leytonstone that the man’s actions would be linked to Islam. Jay Khan, 20, a taxi dispatcher opposite the tube station, said he feared the attack would increase anti-Muslim feeling: “When these things happen there is so much stuff on social media blaming Muslims and all that,” he said.
John Cryer, the local Labour MP, said: “This is a really worrying and appalling incident. But from talking to people this morning most people want to go on with normal life. This is a spectacularly mixed community and we live together very successfully.”
One user called Muthla wrote: “Best trend I’ve seen – YouAintNoMuslimBruv regarding horrific attack in Leytonstone. Gotta love London for the trend!”
Another called Jackie Nn wrote: “youaintnomuslimbruv- soo proud to be a Londoner. True Muslims don’t try and kill innocent bystanders. Peace to true Muslims.”
Chris Lowndes wrote: “YouAintNoMuslimBruv is just perfect – real, inclusive, undermines terrorist cause.”
Powerful image of a Muslim policeman cuffing a IS influenced attacker. Fantastic work from the British police #YouAintNoMuslimBruv
— Sian Jasper (@SianJasper) December 6, 2015
#YouAintNoMuslimBruv I know I've already tweeted about this, but I really like this - London will stand united against hate
— Harry Hamilton (@harryhamilton00) December 6, 2015
The most (East) London response to the horrific #Leytonstone attack - #YouAintNoMuslimBruv Londoners rally together in the face of terroism.
— Sarah Goddard MInstF (@smiley_sarah) December 6, 2015
So proud of this man and of my city. Londoners can and do stick together. We will not be beaten. #YouAintNoMuslimBruv
— Flavia Bertolini (@fluffyberty) December 6, 2015
