A Glasgow food delivery driver who was attacked by a racist mob following Saturday’s anti-immigration protest has said he is “scared to go outside” following the harrowing ordeal.
Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob says he has lived and legally worked in Glasgow for three years since moving from Kashmir for a better future with his wife, Hajra. But during what should have been an ordinary shift as a delivery driver in the city centre on July 25, Muhammad Jawad was targeted by a crowd of racists.
A member of the mob threw a traffic cone at him, while others shouted “get them out” and “send them back”, prompting terrified Muhammad Jawad to flee into a nearby establishment for safety. He also says the words “sh*t Asian” and “sh*t brown guy” were shouted at him by the crowd.
View 4 ImagesThe sickening assault(Image: Glasgow Live)
As reported on Glasgow Live, a video of the attack has since gone viral on social media. In the aftermath, Muhammad Jawad, 31, says he has been too scared to go to work.
He told Glasgow Live: “They abused and harassed me, and you can see in the video they hit me with a traffic cone… I went home, and then I saw the video is viral on different pages, and I was very scared. I’m very upset, I’m not going outside. Some people are not good in Scotland.”
The delivery driver added that his experience in Glasgow so far had been positive, and that he thought Scotland was a “welcoming country” before the terrifying incident.
View 4 ImagesThe ugly scenes in Glasgow(Image: X/@MyDugAlbie)
Muhammad Jawad added: “I’ve lived here for three years, I know Scottish people are very nice people, but this happening insulted me.”
He said: “I am Asian. My [skin] colour is brown. But we are human beings. I paid my visa fee.”
His wife Hajra, 27, who studied in Glasgow, added: “We didn’t imagine that this would happen. In every state, there are bad people – but these days, things are worse. I talk to my husband and he says everything’s fine – but he’s scared, depressed and feeling anxiety. The last two nights he couldn’t sleep well. I’m worried about him. He’s so sensitive.”
She explained: “He was just doing his job. But the protestors use harsh words, harassment and assault… We are legal here, and we pay a lot of money here. We are taxpayers.
“We are very depressed, we didn’t do anything wrong.”
View 4 ImagesShouts could be heard during the confrontation(Image: X/@MyDugAlbie)
It comes after major disorder in the city centre during and after Saturday’s anti-immigration protest and counter-demonstration at Glasgow Green. Around 1700 people attended the protests.
Officers have said that several groups engaged in acts of violence, disorder, intimidation and hate-motivated offences, including a large crowd of approximately 100 people who made their way through the city centre. A number of containments were put in place by officers, including on Oswald Street, in a bid to bring the disorder to an end.
15 people have been arrested so far, with Police Scotland confirming that extensive enquiries are underway into the mass disorder.
Chief Superintendent Emma Croft said: “The level of disorder, violence and intimidation we saw in Glasgow on Saturday was nothing short of disgraceful. People have the right to express their views lawfully and to protest peacefully, however the behaviour we saw from those involved in the disorder was not legitimate protest but rather acts of aggression to cause fear in our communities.
“A significant investigation is already underway and my message is clear – if you were involved in these deplorable acts, you should expect our officers to be knocking on your door. We understand how concerning witnessing the disorder must have been and we would urge any members of the public with information, including mobile phone and dashcam footage, to please pass this on to us.
“We will continue to have a visible policing presence in the city centre and surrounding areas. Anyone with any concerns can approach our officers out on patrol who will be happy to assist.”
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Police Scotland has been contacted for further comment regarding the attack on Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob.
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