PNN – The latest report of the human rights organization “Tel Mama” shows that Islamophobia in England has reached an unprecedented level and attacks and hate speech against Muslims have increased significantly and experts warn that this country has now become one of the most unsafe countries for Muslims, and that government policies and the media environment have intensified this trend.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, this organization (Tell Mama), which records and investigates cases of Islamophobia in England, announced that in 2024, more than 5,837 cases of anti-Islamic attacks and actions were recorded in England. This figure was 2,201 cases in 2022, which indicates a 165% increase in Islamophobia in the last two years.
This institution also reported a 73% increase in physical attacks against Muslims and warned that the public space for Muslim citizens in this country has become more unsafe than ever. Iman Atta, director of Tel Mama Organization, said in this regard: Now is the most dangerous time for Muslims in England. We are seeing a sharp increase in attacks, threats and hate speech online and in person. This process must be stopped.
The analysis of this report shows that several factors have contributed to the rapid growth of Islamophobia in England. One of the most important factors is the war in Gaza and the Zionist regime’s attacks on this region, which has made British Muslims more and more targets of racist attacks. According to the report of “Tel Mama” organization, in the first 100 days after the October 7 attack, more than two thousand cases of Islamophobia were registered in England, which shows the direct impact of the developments in the Middle East on the situation of Muslims in this country.
Another factor is the British general election, during which some politicians, by adopting anti-immigration positions and repeating anti-Islamic stereotypes, fueled the increase of hatred against Muslims. In this election, some candidates and political parties, using anti-Islamic discourses, presented Muslims as a threat to the society, and this has influenced the escalation of Islamophobia.
In addition, the Southport stabbing incident in July 2024 has also been another effective factor in increasing attacks against Muslims. After this incident, the spread of racist rumors about the identity of the attacker followed a wave of physical attacks and online threats against Muslims. The event showed how misinformation and cyberspace can fuel racist sentiments and escalate violence against minority communities.
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Media and politicians; the main culprits of promoting hate
“Tel Mama” organization has emphasized in its report that some English media have played a prominent role in strengthening the atmosphere of Islamophobia. By heating up anti-Islamic discourses and highlighting stereotypical narratives about Muslims, these media have made the social atmosphere more conducive to attacks and spreading hatred.
Also, some British politicians have actually helped to spread the anti-Islam atmosphere with provocative words. “Tel Mama” has specifically mentioned the statements of senior government politicians who have accused Muslims of supporting terrorism as a factor in the increase in hate crimes against Muslims.
Iman Atta, director of Tel Mama Organization, warned: Anti-Islam discourses in the media and political circles are directly related to the increase in violence against Muslims. Politicians and media should be responsible for this process.
He stated: We are at a critical juncture. If immediate action is not taken, the British Muslim community will face a wave of more violence, and this process can fuel deep divisions and increase social tensions in the country.
The Muslim Council of England (MCB) also responded to this report and stated that the statistics show an unprecedented crisis and that the government should take immediate action. Criticizing the performance of Keir Starmer’s government, this Islamic institution has emphasized that the British government has failed to deal with Islamophobia and its policies have fueled the increase in the feeling of insecurity among Muslims.
The recent report of “Tel Mama” once again showed that Islamophobia in England has not only not decreased, but has reached an unprecedented level. The rise in physical attacks, online threats and discriminatory behavior against Muslims, coupled with the indifference of the British government, presents a worrying outlook for the future of Muslims in the country.