1 November 2024

As we enter Islamophobia Awareness Month, the East London Mosque (ELM)  joins Muslim communities across Britain in highlighting the worrying rise in anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination. Recent Home Office figures paint a troubling picture of religious hate crimes across England and Wales, with a 25 per cent increase this year, the highest annual count since records began in 2012.

The statistics are particularly alarming for our community. Muslims continue to be disproportionately targeted, with nearly two in five victims of religious hate crimes being Muslim. Police data shows 3,866 offences against Muslims in the past year, a 13 per cent increase from the previous year. More concerning still, the period between September and October 2023 saw a dramatic surge of 67.5 per cent in anti-Muslim offences, rising from 194 to 325 cases.

Organisations monitoring anti-Muslim hatred have recorded an unprecedented 4,971 cases of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia over the past year – the highest level in over a decade. The majority of these incidents (63%) involved abusive behaviour, whilst 27% were cases of threatening behaviour, predominantly occurring in London, the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Of particular concern is the targeted hatred towards Muslim women, who bear the brunt of Islamophobic attacks across the country. Statistics show that in some European countries, between 80 to 90 percent of Islamophobic incidents target Muslim women, particularly those wearing religious attire such as the hijab or niqab. 

The workplace remains a significant area of concern. A nationwide survey by the Muslim Council of Britain, involving over 1,500 UK Muslims, revealed that 69 per cent had experienced Islamophobia in various work situations. These incidents occurred during engagement with customers and clients (44%), at work social events (42%), in team meetings (38%), and even in task allocation (37%). Such discrimination not only affects individual well-being but also hampers career progression and economic opportunities for Muslims.

Here at the ELM, we recognise the urgent need to combat Islamophobia. Throughout November we will be running a series of workshops, seminars and community events to raise awareness about Islamophobia. Working alongside partners across the country, we are committed to combating anti-Muslim hatred in all its forms. Our mosque will serve as a hub for various initiatives during Islamophobia Awareness Month. 

However, addressing Islamophobia effectively requires more than just community action. There is an urgent need for the official adoption of a clear, legally robust definition of Islamophobia. Without this, the concept remains open to inconsistent interpretation, allowing those who discriminate against Muslims to dismiss or minimise their actions. A working definition with legal power is essential, particularly for government bodies, police forces, and institutions providing public services.

This Islamophobia Awareness Month, the ELM calls upon all sectors of society to join us in combating anti-Muslim hatred. We urge businesses, educational institutions, and public bodies to implement robust anti-discrimination policies and provide appropriate training for staff. 

We strongly encourage our community members to report any incidents of Islamophobia they experience or witness, as addressing under-reporting is crucial for understanding the true scale of the problem.

For those seeking support or wishing to report incidents, our mosque provides confidential assistance and can direct you to appropriate services. Together, we can stand against hatred and build a more inclusive society for all.

Never stay silent. Report hate crime to the police on 101 or by following this link:
www.met.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/information/v1/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

You can also contact the Islamophobia Response Unit:

[email protected]

020 3904 6555