Dear Eddie Hearn

I am writing to acknowledge your recent speech on the issue of knife crime. Your decision to address this topic is admirable.

I wholeheartedly agree with your assertion that the streets of Britain are no longer safe. Women, children, pensioners, and indeed everyone, are increasingly vulnerable. This situation is untenable and worsening by the day.

I would like to highlight a few key points. Given your frequent trips to Saudi Arabia for boxing, I am confident you don’t encounter the same culture of youth carrying weapons and showing a casual disregard for life. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I’m sure that you and your family feel much safer walking the streets of Saudi Arabia late at night than in many areas here.

Many celebrities and social media content creators, both male and female, have commented on feeling safe walking the streets of Riyadh at night, leaving their belongings in public places, and finding them untouched upon their return.

I am not suggesting that Saudi Arabia is a perfect model of Islamic values, as it is far from that and comes with its many flaws. It is based on selective Islamic values. However, putting aside the political aspects of the regime, it is worth considering why people still experience such a strong sense of safety and security there.

The key reason is that Saudi society is based on Islamic values, where life is considered sacred, and taking a life is viewed as a serious sin. In contrast, British culture, shaped by media and entertainment, often glamorises violence through gangster films and similar content, promoting a disregard for human life. This cultural influence, along with social fragmentation, contributes to the problem of knife crime in the UK, creating an environment where violence can appear normalised or even glorified.

Furthermore, the underlying cause of rampant crime in the West is the promotion of material values, such as the freedom to do anything without accountability. This prioritisation of individualism over collective responsibility fosters a sense of entitlement, leading to behaviours that undermine societal cohesion. The disregard for accountability in this system allows crime to flourish unchecked.

Even if we set aside the complete adherence to Islamic principles, many Muslim-majority countries incorporate elements of Islamic law, including punishments and social aspects that create a society where the punishment fits the crime. As you mentioned in your video, in Britain, someone can commit a heinous crime and only receive a few months or a year in prison, which fails to act as a deterrent.

Given your frequent visits to Saudi Arabia, you can testify first-hand that, while the West often criticises Islam for its perceived backward practices and punishments, there is actually greater social cohesion in Muslim countries than in Britain.

I urge you to reflect deeply on these points. Imagine a place where your children, wife, and elderly family members can roam the streets safely. This is what adherence to Islamic principles in their totality can create in a society.

I hope this letter encourages you to reflect on the true essence of Islam and how, if fully implemented, it could lead to a much safer and better society than the chaos we see today. I trust you will consider these points and recognise some truths in what I have shared.

On a lighter note, I’d like to extend a personal invitation to you. If you ever find yourself in Bedfordshire, I’d love to have you over for a meal. No agenda, no social media—just good company and conversation. And who knows, maybe we can go 12 rounds sampling all kinds of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine!

Sincerely

https://www.tiktok.com/@thestompingground_/video/7419680851081858337