5Pillars, a UK-based Muslim news outlet and the largest English-language Muslim news site in Europe, Australia, and the Americas, has propagated troubling narratives about grooming gangs, suggesting that systematic abuse of children can be attributed to “promiscuity among the mainly white girls.”
This stance from 5Pillars came into focus as Elon Musk’s tweets reignited the debate about grooming gangs. On January 5, 2025, Musk asserted, “For anyone doubting the severity and depravity of the mass gang rapes of little girls in Britain, go to the source material and read the court transcripts. I did. It is worse than you could possibly imagine.” His remarks have intensified public outrage and spurred widespread criticism of Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, who recently rejected calls for a government inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham—a notorious hotspot for grooming gang activity.
It is worse than you could possibly imagine.
For American readers unfamiliar with the term “grooming gangs,” the phrase may conjure images of primates clearing lice. Let there be no misunderstanding: these should be called rape gangs, for that is what they are. These gangs manipulate, exploit, and systematically abuse vulnerable children, often through a process of “grooming,” which involves gaining their trust before subjecting them to horrific sexual violence.
In the UK, grooming gangs have become a disturbingly prevalent issue, with several high-profile cases revealing a pattern of abuse. A significant proportion of these offenders come from South Asian backgrounds, particularly men of Pakistani Muslim heritage. Law enforcement and local authorities have faced criticism for consistently failing to address the scale of the abuse, often hindered by concerns over race and political correctness. This inaction has allowed these gangs to operate with impunity for years, leaving many victims unprotected.
The extent of the scandal is far greater than previously understood. Recently uncovered by GB News, grooming gangs have been active in at least 50 towns across the UK, a staggering revelation that surpasses earlier estimates. More than 10,000 victims have been exploited, with perpetrators operating with alarming impunity. A 2019 report highlighted a grooming epidemic, with nearly 19,000 children identified as victims of sexual exploitation in England alone. These findings expose the widespread nature of the abuse and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive action and accountability.
Victim Blaming and Distortions
Instead of acknowledging the horror of the crimes and the failure of law enforcement to act effectively, 5Pillars frames the issue of grooming gangs as a “recruitment tool by the far-right.”
Deputy editor of 5 Pillars, Dilly Hussain, claimed, “It’s clear that many right-wingers who are up in arms about ‘Muslim grooming gangs,’ don’t care about the victims, and are using these heinous crimes for their own political motives.” This rhetoric contributes to the inaction highlighted by an inquiry into police failures, which revealed a “nervousness about race” and the blaming of children over the perpetrators.
Instead of addressing the core issues, 5Pillars shifts blame onto the victims. They argue that abuse arises from “promiscuity among the mainly white girls” and “the increasingly sexualized nature of society.” In particular, the “early sexualisation of children… leaves them susceptible to abuse by some deviant adults.”
Another 5Pillars writer, Shazad Hussain from Rotherham, said he grew up “with some of the individuals who have been convicted of grooming offenses.” Offering his explanation for why such despicable crimes occur, he declared, “There is little to no scope for social mobility here. If you’re Asian, you are pretty much guaranteed to either be a taxi driver, takeaway worker, shopkeeper, or a call centre telephonist.” This excuse frames the perpetrators as victims of their circumstances, ignoring their coercive and predatory behavior.
Roshan M. Salih, 5Pillars Director, dismissed media focus on grooming gangs, calling it “fake noise,” orchestrated by “Elon Musk to give his mate Nigel Farage a boost in the polls.” However, the following day, Musk tweeted,"The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
Musk’s critique stems from his disdain for Farage’s decision to distance himself from Tommy Robinson. Robinson, known for his outspoken opposition to grooming gangs, carries a far-right label, but Musk appears to view him as someone who exposed serious societal issues. Farage’s distancing is seen by Musk as both cowardly and complicit in demonizing Robinson, who revealed the extent of grooming gangs and faced similar opposition from the establishment. Musk even criticized Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips and “The Labour Party, [which] opposes a national inquiry on the mass rape of little girls in Britain for one reason only: It will show that they were complicit.”
5Pillars Denies Racial Component of Grooming Gangs
5Pillars’ only post on grooming gangs since the renewed attention attempted to deflect attention by spotlighting a case of a girl who falsely accused a grooming gang, thereby diverting focus from systemic abuse. With significant reach on platforms like YouTube and Twitter, 5Pillars shapes public opinion to support its narrative.
Citing 2012 National Crime Agency figures, 5Pillars reported that 100% of offenders in pedophile rings were white. However, they omitted that this statistic referred specifically to “Type 2” offenders, who target children based on a specific sexual interest. The same report also revealed that “Type 1” offenders, who target children based on vulnerability—a behavior that mirrors that of grooming gangs—were of 75% Asian ethnicity, a fact 5Pillars chose to ignore.
5Pillars has repeatedly downplayed the racial component of grooming gangs. They criticized a report by the Quilliam Foundation, a counter-extremism think tank, which found that “84% of grooming gang offenders were South Asian,” despite this group making up only 7% of the UK population. Most of these offenders were of Pakistani origin with Muslim heritage. Yet, 5Pillars dismissed the findings and included screenshots of posts accusing the organization of “dodgy” statistics and claiming they are “full of sh*t.” 5Pillars argues that acknowledging these statistics would reinforce a “right-wing narrative.” Focus on Western Islamism (FWI) approached 5Pillars for more information, but received no reply.
What Prompted Phillips to Block Government Inquiry?
Phillips, previously vocal against grooming gangs, drew attention for a 2016 comment about the Cologne attacks, where 22 women were raped by immigrants. She remarked, “What happened in Cologne could be described on Broad Street, Birmingham, every week.” Eight years later, however, Phillips saw fit to squash a government inquiry into rape allegations in Oldham, a city of approximately 238,000 people located in the north of England. While specific figures for Oldham aren’t available, reports suggest that the town has been a hotspot for grooming gang activity. Reportedly, over 100 victims had been identified in Oldham in the early 2000s, with multiple grooming gang cases tied to the town. However, figures are thought to be higher, as grooming gang activity and victim numbers were often under-reported or poorly documented at the time.
Speculation suggests that Phillips, representing a constituency with a significant Muslim population, may be prioritizing political survival over victims’
justice. Her stance on Gaza helped secure her seat. Now, avoiding the grooming gangs issue may reflect efforts to maintain support from the same demographic.
The Telegraph reported that Labour, the current government party, “can’t afford to lose more Muslim votes,” highlighting how the “re-emergence of the grooming scandal raises further issues between the party and its key voter bases.” This is particularly significant as Phillips only secured her seat with a slim margin, making the party’s handling of the issue even more politically sensitive.
5Pillars’ Salih gave credence to this speculation when he wrote, “I don’t think Muslims should join any political party with non-Muslim leadership or a constitution that isn’t based on Islam. However, in certain circumstances, and for the greater good of the Ummah, Muslims can vote for non-Muslim political parties, as we did to punish Labour in the last election. But this should only be a short-term tactic.” He emphasized that the longer-term goal should be to build a strong, independent Muslim community capable of influencing wider society.
Considering Salih’s comments, Phillips’ reluctance to demand a public inquiry into grooming gangs may be a calculated political move. This highlights how political considerations can overshadow societal concerns, sidelining the protection of women and children.
Outrage for 5Pillars’ efforts to downplay the issue will not be soon forgotten.
“5Pillars have clearly sought to obfuscate the endemic of Islamic rape gangs and to deny any link with Islam or Islamic communities with these heinous offenses,” said Tim Dieppe, the director of public policy at Christian Concern. “Society should stop sacrificing girls to political correctness and call this what it is. Until the Muslim community faces up to the fact that these crimes have and continue to be perpetrated by mostly Muslim men, we are unlikely to see the end of these horrific crimes.”
By downplaying the racial component of grooming gangs, 5Pillars perpetuates a fear of being labeled racist or far-right, discouraging figures like Phillips from addressing the issue. Their distortions hinder justice, putting vulnerable children at risk and stifling crucial societal discussions.
