'Isis Jihadist' Flag in East London Ripped Down by Nun
By Ewan Palmer | IB Times
A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) holds an Isis flag and …
A black flag with Arabic writing, similar to the ones used by Jihadist fighters in Syria and Iraq, has been taken down from an east London housing estate by a local nun.
The flag, seen on top of the gates of the Will Crooks estate on Poplar High Street, Tower Hamlets, was put up alongside Palestine flags and slogans in support of Gaza.
Following complaints about the flag, which bore a resemblance to ones used by the Islamic State military group (formerly known as Isis), council workers went to take it down only to discover it had been removed, reported the Evening Standard.
A spokesman said: "The council can confirm that following reports this morning of a flag erected on the Will Crooks Estate, council officials took steps to remove it but found it had already been taken down by Sister Christine Frost, a well-known local activist and promoter of community cohesion.
"The flag was removed following concerns that it could cause community tension."
There has been suggestions the flag bore a logo which merely represented Muslim faith rather than Jihadist views.
The Guardian reported that, when one of its journalists attempted to take a picture of the flag, he was confronted by "around 20 Asian youths" who swore at him and told him to leave.
When asked if it was an Isis flag, one of the men said "It is just the flag of Allah" while a second reportedly asked "so what if it is?"
Daily Express reporter Ted Jeory also claimed he was approached by a group of youths after attempting to take photographs of the flag. One of the men allegedly said: "F**k off Jew, you're not welcome here" when confronted.
Defence secretary Michael Fallon said allegations an Isis flag was being flown in east London as "extremely inappropriate".
Tower Hamlets council also welcomed the move to remove it.
A spokesperson added: "We have consistently demonstrated that there is no place for hate in Tower Hamlets, whatever form it takes."