Anti-Muslim hate reports spike after right-wing rally, charity warns

Protesters attend an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London. (Reuters/File Photo)
Short Url
Updated 02 October 2025
Follow

Anti-Muslim hate reports spike after right-wing rally, charity warns

  • In the 7 days after United the Kingdom rally, Tell Mama received 157 reports of anti-Muslim hate
  • ‘This comes at a time when real political leadership on this matter is missing’

LONDON: Anti-Muslim hate reports surged in the week following last-month’s right-wing Unite the Kingdom rally in London last month, charity Tell Mama has said, highlighting growing anxiety among Muslim and migrant communities.

The rally, held on Sept. 13, attracted over 150,000 people. In the seven days after, Tell Mama received 157 reports of anti-Muslim hate, with victims describing being told to “leave the UK” and “go back to your country.”

Between June and September, the charity recorded a total of 913 cases, including attacks on 17 mosques and Islamic institutions.

Tell Mama said the increase in reports following the rally appeared to be linked to “political discourse around migration,” and warned that such rhetoric is having a direct impact on the daily lives of Muslim communities.

Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, described the figures as “shocking,” and warned that the full-year total could surpass last year’s record of more than 6,000 incidents.

“We are looking at a serious problem of anti-Muslim hatred that is pervasive in parts of our country. This comes at a time when real political leadership on this matter is missing,” she said.

The charity, which has monitored anti-Muslim hate for more than a decade, also confirmed it will no longer apply for government funding following an apparent dispute over resources.

Earlier this year, the British Muslim Trust was selected to receive investment from the new Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund.

The BMT brings together the Aziz Foundation and Randeree Charitable Trust to analyze data and identify drivers behind the rise in anti-Muslim hatred across England.

Tell Mama said the surge in hate reports underscores a broader concern about how political narratives around migration are translating into harassment and abuse on the streets.

“The national debate around migration is having real-world impacts on the lives of people going about their daily activities,” the charity said.


Most of Iranian women’s soccer team leave Australia

Updated 11 March 2026
Follow

Most of Iranian women’s soccer team leave Australia

GOLD COAST: The Iranian women’s soccer team left Australia without seven squad members after tearful protests of their departure outside Sydney Airport and frantic final efforts inside the terminal by Australian officials, who sought to ensure the women understood they were being offered asylum.

As the team’s flight time drew nearer and they passed through security late on Tuesday, each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran.

Before the team traveled to the airport, seven women had accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain permanently in Australia and were ushered to a safe location by Australian police officers. 

One has since changed her mind, underscoring the tense and precarious nature of their decisions.

“In Australia, people are able to change their mind,” said Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who had hours earlier posted photos of the seven women granted humanitarian visas to his social media accounts, their identities clearly visible.

After what Burke described as “emotional” meetings between the remaining women who reached the airport and Australian officials, the rest of the team declined offers of asylum and boarded their flight.

It was a dramatic conclusion to an episode that had gripped Australia since the Iranian team’s first game at the Asian Cup soccer tournament, when they remained silent during their national anthem.