Muslim women form human chain along Westminster Bridge after London attack

Women, mainly Muslim, formed a human chain along Westminster Bridge on Sunday evening, in a show of defiance against terror at the scene of last week’s attack which claimed four lives.

The quiet protest, which was organised by the Women’s March, saw around 100 women hold hands and bow their heads in silence.

On Wednesday, Khalid Masood drove his SUV along the same pavement where the women stood, killing three pedestrians before stabbing a policeman to death.

Dr. Sarah Waseem, a clinical psychologist from Surrey told MEE that she attended the silent protest "to show that Muslim women care about what's happening in the world. Too often people think that our men speak for us."

It was an emotional experience for her, she said, due to "reflecting on the enormity of what had happened on 22 March and also on what it meant for others watching us - this line of Muslim women standing there in silence."

And while taking part in the act, and holding hands with other women, made her feel strong, Waseem said she was also apprehensive about any negative comments from passersby. 

"We felt strong but also [we] realised what our presence might evoke in others watching,"

In the end, however, she said that there were no deragatory comments. "It was really great. Some people were watching and taking photos."

Malik, from Surrey, told Metro newspaper that: “As a visible Muslim I think it was important to show solidarity with the principles that we all hold dear, the principles of plurality, diversity and so on.”

Fariha Khan said: “The feeling of what happened here on Wednesday was really strong.

“We thought of the ordinary people who were here and were mown down, standing here like this, it was very overwhelming.”