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.
