UK Government Cuts Funding for Anti-Muslim Hate Monitoring Group Amid Record Islamophobia Surge

The UK government’s decision to withdraw funding from Tell Mama, one of the country’s leading organisations monitoring anti-Muslim hate crimes, has sparked widespread concern among Britain’s Muslim communities. The move comes at a time when Islamophobic incidents have surged by 165% since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, raising fears about the impact of losing a key resource for victims of hate crimes.

Tell Mama, which has operated since 2012, has been instrumental in recording anti-Muslim hate incidents, supporting victims, and working with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. The government’s financial support for the organisation will cease at the end of this month, with no announcement regarding a replacement service.

Concerns Over Rising Islamophobia and Far-Right Extremism

Tell Mama founder Fiyaz Mughal strongly criticised the funding cut, warning that it comes at a time when far-right populist movements are gaining momentum across Europe. Speaking to The Guardian, he said, “There are going to be more individuals targeted. We know that in the current environment, and where are they going to go? This is an injustice at a time where I have never seen anti-Muslim rhetoric become so mainstream.”

According to Tell Mama’s latest data, the organisation recorded nearly 11,000 reports of Islamophobic incidents in the past year, with 9,600 confirmed cases. There has also been a sharp rise in online abuse since October 2023, as tensions around the Israel-Gaza conflict have intensified.

Official police data reflects a record increase in religiously motivated hate crimes across England and Wales, with Muslims being the most frequently targeted group, accounting for 38% of all reported cases. Jewish communities follow closely, representing 33% of incidents.

The growing threat from far-right extremism further underscores the importance of monitoring Islamophobia. Just last week, a UK court heard details of an alleged neo-Nazi terror plot, in which extremists were reportedly planning attacks on mosques and synagogues in northwest England.

Government Accused of Contradictory Approach

Mughal also questioned how the Labour government could claim to be tackling Islamophobia while cutting the only national-scale initiative dedicated to supporting victims and aiding police investigations.

“Labour talks a lot about countering Islamophobia, but they are cutting the only project doing anything on a national scale,” he said. “I’m not aware of any other organisation that can do this work, and even if a new agency tried, it would take them 10 to 15 years to reach where Tell Mama is.”

Tell Mama was originally set up to mirror the work of the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides similar services for British Jewish communities, including a hotline for reporting anti-Semitic incidents, security advice, and community support. CST continues to receive Home Office funding, while Tell Mama’s funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has been withdrawn.

Critics argue that the funding cut contradicts recent government efforts to address anti-Muslim hatred. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner reaffirmed that tackling Islamophobia was a priority, stating, “The rise in anti-Muslim hate crime is unacceptable and has no place in our society.” The government also recently announced the formation of a working group on anti-Muslim hatred, chaired by former Attorney General Dominic Grieve.

Mughal accused the government of “saying one thing and doing another”, highlighting the gap between political rhetoric and actual policy decisions.

Uncertain Future for Tell Mama and Victims of Hate Crimes

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has yet to clarify its reasoning behind the funding withdrawal or offer details on an alternative support system. A government spokesperson said, “Religious and racial hatred has absolutely no place in our society, and we will not tolerate Islamophobia in any form. This year we have made up to £1m available to Tell Mama to provide support for victims of Islamophobia, and we will set out our approach to future funding in due course.”

However, this response has done little to reassure community leaders and those concerned about the growing wave of anti-Muslim hate. With Islamophobic incidents at record levels and far-right threats on the rise, the government’s decision to cut funding for Tell Mama has raised serious questions about its commitment to tackling Islamophobia and protecting affected communities.