The Home Office’s recent report on hate crime for England and Wales reveals that nearly 40% of all religiously motivated hate crimes target Muslim communities, with 3,866 cases reported in the year ending March 2024, making Muslims the most affected group. The data also shows a 25% increase in religious hate crimes compared to the previous year, the highest annual count since records began in 2012.
Far-right riots, coupled with a hostile political climate, have created a fertile ground for the normalisation of Islamophobia. This follows a troubling trend over the years, as divisive political rhetoric continues to stigmatise Muslim communities. Islamophobia is becoming more entrenched within British society, and the rise in attacks and discrimination reflects how deep-rooted this issue is in the UK.
Responding to the latest data, MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed said:
“The spike in Islamophobic hate crime is, sadly, not surprising and reflects the increased hatred experienced by British Muslims.”
“We have seen divisive political rhetoric that continues to stigmatise Muslim communities for political gain, alongside false news stories that incite far-right riots and Islamophobic attacks, showing just how deeply entrenched these issues are.”
“Most Islamophobic hate crimes go unreported, meaning this data highlights only a small part of the issue and not its systemic nature.”
Structural Islamophobia across key institutions such as, local authorities, and government bodies further entrenches inequalities. British Muslims continue to face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, housing, and employment due to institutional biases. This creates a hostile climate, where Islamophobia is perpetuated not only through individual actions but also by the very systems meant to protect citizens.
The MCB urges the government to fulfil its duty to protect all communities from hatred, address the rise of far-right terror, and tackle institutional Islamophobia. This includes the full adoption of the APPG British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia as a key first step.
We continue to call for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle Islamophobia at all levels—ensuring accountability, implementing proper training for public bodies, and addressing the deep-rooted biases that permeate into our institutions.