Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

UK Shooting Range Faces Backlash For Using Muslim Teen's Photo As Target Practice

UK Shooting Range Faces Backlash For Using Muslim Teen's Photo As Target Practice
BBC News/YouTube // @angelaeagle (Twitter)

Target practice just got messy.


A shooting range in the English county of Merseyside has come under fire (pun very much intended) after it emerged that staff had been using images of Shamima Begum, a Muslim teenager who left the United Kingdom to join the Islamic State, as a target.

Speaking to the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire program, Wallasey's Ultimate Airsoft Range said that the range was intended "for people to learn the importance and safety of handling weapons, while having fun".

"Our targets provide some fantastic reactions and conversations... bringing out the inner child in all," a spokesperson said.

The image below shows a target of Begum that's been riddled with bullet holes.

The shooting range had earlier posted an image of the target to Twitter, describing it as "hot off the press." The tweet also included the hashtags #NoRemorse and #MadeYourChoice.

Now it's facing some rather heated criticism.

Its website also shows other targets, including U.S. President Donald Trump and former English Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.


The story evidently sparked an outrage on social media with critics saying that the image "encourages violent attitudes towards those who you harbour prejudices against."




Labor MP Angela Eagle agreed that the shooting range should "stop" using the targets.

Shamima Begum left the U.K. four years ago at the age of 15 to join the Islamic State. A Times journalist tracked Begum, now 19, earlier this month, and found her living in a Syrian refugee camp, soon to give birth. On February 16, she gave birth to a boy.

Begum has said she would like to return home to her parents and has asked for forgiveness, but her impending return has sparked a debate in Britain about the handling of returning jihadists.

In response to her statements, Security Minister Ben Wallace said:

"I'm not putting at risk British people's lives to go and look for terrorists or former terrorists in a failed state."

The U.K. has stripped Begum of her citizenship. Her family announced they intend to challenge Home Secretary Sajid Javid's decision. British law does not allow an individual to remain stateless and Begum has the right to an appeal.

She says she is considering applying for Dutch citizenship.

Shamima Begum: IS teenager to lose UK citizenship - BBC Newswww.youtube.com

More from

Screenshot of George Santos; Zohran Mamdani
@MrSantosNY/X; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

George Santos Announced He's Leaving New York After Mamdani's Win—And The Responses Are Brutal

Disgraced former New York Republican Representative George Santos was widely mocked after he announced he will leave New York City now that Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral election.

Mamdani has sent shockwaves around the world with his win; an unapologetic democratic socialist, he took on the establishment and won despite months of Islamophobic and racist attacks from the right-wing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of man collapsing and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. preparing to walk out
@atrupar/X

RFK Jr. Dragged For Bolting Out Of Oval Office The Moment A Man Collapsed During Press Briefing

Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was criticized after hurrying out of a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday after a man had a medical emergency and suddenly collapsed.

Kennedy was on hand alongside President Donald Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz—the current Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—and health aides for a press briefing announcing lower costs for weight loss drugs.

Keep ReadingShow less

Times People Saw Someone Almost Die Due To Their Own Actions

All actions have consequences, some more negative and severe than others.

But sometimes, someone will do something so extreme or stupid, it could almost cost them their life.

Keep ReadingShow less

Cancer Patients Explain Which Symptoms Ultimately Led Them To See A Doctor

Cancer has taken far too many lives and affected far too many people.

Where is a cure?

Keep ReadingShow less
Close-up shot of the number 30 painted on asphalt.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

People Over 30 Share Their Biggest Regrets In Life

Life goes by in a flash.

When we're young, we tend to laugh off that statement.

Keep ReadingShow less