Ex-soldier who lost leg hits out at anti-Muslim sentiment

A MAN who lost his leg while serving in the British Army has hit out at anti-Muslim sentiment and said he is frustrated that people expect him to be racist because of his experience.

Chris Herbert, a former soldier, has hit out at anti-Muslim sentiment. Picture: Facebook/Chris Herbert

Chris Herbert said someone had tried to recruit him for “anti-Muslim propaganda” and called on people to stop blaming all those of a particular faith for the actions of a minority.

His Facebook post, urging people to “get a grip of your lives, hug your family and get back to work”, has been shared more than 44,000 times.

He said he may have been injured at the hands of a Muslim, but listed the number of Muslims who had since helped him in his recovery.

Chris Herbert pictured during a tour of duty in Iraq (front, centre). Picture: Facebook/Chris Herbert

His words came as politicians and others told of their outrage at the comments of US presidential hopeful Donald Trump who called for Muslims to be barred from entering America, and then claimed parts of London are no-go areas for police because some areas are “so radicalised”.

Mr Herbert, from Portsmouth, wrote online: “Getting frustrated by some people expecting racism from me, because I got blown up.”

He said he had been helped by Muslim medics, from the surgeon who he credited with saving his life to the doctor who offered his father friendly advice in a pub about his son’s recovery.

He also listed unpleasant experiences he had had with “white Brits”, but added: “Although, alot of people helped in my recovery! I don’t hate white brits either!”

Mr Herbert’s post has drawn widespread praise, with people hailing him for sharing his experience.

In the post he wrote: “Yes. A Muslim man blew me up, and I lost my leg.

“A Muslim man also lost his arm that day wearing a British Uniform.

“A Muslim medic was in the helicopter that took me from the field.

“A Muslim surgeon performed the surgery that saved my life.

“A Muslim Nurse was part of the team that helped me when I returned to the UK.

“A Muslim Healthcare Assistant was part of the team that sorted out my day to day needs in rehabilitation when I was learning to walk.

“A Muslim taxi driver gave me a free ride the first time I went for a beer with my Dad after I came home.

“A Muslim doctor offered my Dad comfort and advice in a pub, when he didn’t know how to deal with my medicines and side effects.”

And Mr Herbert, who served in Iraq, added: “Contrary to that, a white Brit spat in my girlfriend’s face for ‘f*****g a cripple when you could have me [him].’

“A White Brit pushed my wheelchair away from a lift so he could use it first.

“A White Brit screamed at my Dad for parking in a disabled bay when I was in the services coming home.

“Blaming all Muslims for the actions of groups like Daesh and the Taliban, is like blaming all Christians for the actions of the [Ku Klux Klan] or Westboro Baptist Church.

“Get a grip of your lives, hug your family and get back to work.”