Warning: Includes rude and offensive images and language
In 2015, a Wetherspoon pub in Feltham, Middlesex, England, sparked a firestorm when a customer pinned a poster on the noticeboard, screaming, “MUSLIMS. Get the f*** out of our countries.” Featuring a Lord Kitchener-style image, it targeted Muslims who favor Sharia law over British culture. The backlash was swift—outraged patrons fled, vowing never to return. Yet, a decade later, this vile sign still whispers what many quietly think about immigration and extremist ideologies.
Why the Backlash? Offense Meets Truth
The poster, tied to the group “Infidel Brotherhood” a global community against Islam, was crude and offensive, no doubt. Its vile words—slamming Muslim countries as “s**tholes”—sparked a fierce backlash from a 28-year-old customer and his Muslim friend, who bolted before eating. They called it “disgraceful,” fearing it branded all Brits as racists. Yet, many Muslims practicing Islam don’t see themselves as extremists, even when hundreds of Hadith and Quran verses, like Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:51 warning against befriending Christians or Jews, clash with Western values.
O believers! Take neither Jews nor Christians as guardians—they are guardians of each other. Whoever does so will be counted as one of them. Surely Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. – Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:51
These texts often resist assimilation, fueling the poster’s outrage. J.D. Wetherspoon apologized, yanking the sign, but the backlash exposed a raw nerve: cultural compatibility.
Immigration Frustrations Fuel the Fire
Let’s be honest: the poster’s backlash wasn’t just about words. It tapped into raw frustration with immigration policies that seem to coddle extremism. In 2015, Europe faced a migrant surge, and fears of cultural erosion ran high. The poster’s blunt message echoed a sentiment: assimilate or leave. A Muslim customer even shrugged it off, saying it targeted radicals, not him. Fast-forward to 2025, and the debate rages on. With the Muslim Brotherhood now whispered as a potential terrorist group, the poster’s shadow looms larger. Many still cheer its defiance, seeing it as a middle finger to policies letting unassimilated radicals thrive.
Sharia vs. Christian Society: The Clash
Sharia law, with its rigid rules, feels like a square peg in the round hole of Christian societies. The 2015 poster railed against Muslims pushing Sharia over British norms, and in 2025, Texas’ EPIC City project reignites that backlash. This Muslim-centric development, planned near Dallas, sparked fears of a “Sharia city” excluding non-Muslims, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to halt construction and launch probes. Despite developers denying Sharia enforcement, critics like Senator John Cornyn warn of religious discrimination, fueling the same clash: can extremist ideologies coexist with Western values? The poster’s raw anger still echoes in this Texas-sized standoff.
2025: Racist or Righteous Backlash?
Ten years later, would the poster still ignite fury? Probably. But plenty would nod in secret agreement. Social media posts show outrage, yet others quietly supported the sentiment, not the slur. The Infidel Brotherhood’s toxic brand doesn’t help, but the core issue—frustration with lax immigration and extremist ideologies—still simmers. Wetherspoon’s quick fix didn’t erase the divide; it exposed it. The backlash was loud, but the silence of agreement speaks louder.
Conclusion: Where Do We Stand?
The 2015 poster was crude, offensive, and divisive, yet it struck a nerve that pulses in 2025. Immigration policies and extremist ideologies like Sharia law still fuel debates about assimilation. The Infidel Brotherhood’s shadow adds a darker edge, but the real question lingers: is the backlash racist hate or a bold cry for cultural unity?
What’s your take—does this sentiment deserve a megaphone or a muzzle?
Like this article?
☕️ Please buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/criordan
👉 Follow me on X: @CRiordan2024
Click HERE to read more from Clara Dorrian.
