Muslim woman who rescued bird racially abused

A Muslim woman says she has been racially abused after a video widely shared on social media, including by a council leader, opened her up to false accusations she had harmed a bird.

Nora Mubarak, from Grimsby, said footage of her attempting to rescue a gull that had fallen from its nest led to her being called "savage", "barbaric" and a "seagull eater".

Oliver Freeston, the Reform UK leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, shared the video on Facebook with the caption: "Grimsby in 2026."

Freeston later deleted the post and said he was "really pleased" to hear the video, in fact, showed a rescue.

However, Mubarak said his response was "too little too late" and "the damage he has caused to me is huge".

She added: "He should be held responsible for his actions."

Mubarak, who said she loved seagulls, said she had spotted the grounded gull the day before and tried to rescue him with another woman, but could not capture him so left him food.

Having become worried he would be "run over by a car" she went back early the next day with a sheet ready to catch the bird.

After the capture, she managed to place the bird back on the roof with the help of a local shop owner and said she felt "really happy and excited", posting her story on a Facebook seagull appreciation group.

Mubarak said she was questioned by people in a vehicle and explained to them she had been helping the bird. She said she was not aware they had filmed her and added they published the video "with lies about me".

A friend first alerted her to the viral video, claiming she had hurt the bird, which she described as "totally untrue" and "taken out of context".

Mubarak said she was "very shocked" by the reaction and has been abused in the street, not just online, by people who had seen the footage.

She said she felt much of the abuse was based on negative stereotypes of Muslims but added: "I still believe in the goodness and kindness of the people here, the British people."

One of those sharing the video was Freeston, who later posted on social media that he had been mistaken.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, in his original post, Freeston wrote: "I would remind all that in the UK, all wild gulls are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Perhaps Nigel Farage was right…"

Freeston later wrote: "Credit where credit is due, fair play to the lady for rescuing the bird.

"If I can make a donation to an animal charity of your choice, please reach out to me.

"If she is involved in campaigning for animal welfare, I would be more than happy to meet with her to discuss how I can support those efforts."

However, Mubarak was not satisfied by his response and said the abuse had continued despite the clarification.

When contacted by the BBC, Freeston said he did not wish to add anything further to comments he had made previously.

Mubarak said she had spoken to the BBC to help stop the abuse, and said: "People need to know the truth [about the video].

"I won't allow him to use me to stir racism."

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