One in three British Muslims consider leaving UK due to Islamophobia: report

Most British Muslims believe Islamophobia has increased since the summer riots following the Southport stabbings in England’s Merseyside, with one in three considering leaving the UK, according to a report released on Wednesday by the anti-Muslim crime watchdog, Tell MAMA.  

A survey carried out by the organisation highlights growing concerns within British Muslim communities after the violent unrest that spread across the country this summer. 

One in four Muslims surveyed, either online or by phone, reported experiencing anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia following the mass stabbing on 30 July in Southport. 

The violence, triggered by false online claims that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for the fatal stabbing of three children, sparked a wave of riots around the country, targeting immigrants and Muslims. 

Two-thirds of respondents felt the risk of harm to Muslim communities had grown since 30 July, with more than two-thirds stating that anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia had become more widespread. 

Almost four in 10 participants expressed concerns that their local mosque was at risk from far-right groups and extremists, the survey revealed. 

Despite the rising hostility, half of those surveyed said the riots had made them feel "more open about their Muslim identity," and six out of 10 stated they still felt safe in the UK. 

In a statement, Tell MAMA commented: "The poll findings demonstrate that anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia is having significant impacts on Britain’s Muslim communities." 

It went on to say that, in the weeks following the July riots, Tell MAMA had received numerous reports from the public, many of whom had been shouted at, threatened with death, spat at, or physically assaulted.  

"Many British Muslims are very scared at the moment. They need our government to show it hears their fears, and is working to keep them safe," said Iman Atta, director of Tell MAMA. 

"This poll is proof of the terrifying impact anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia is having."

She continued, "More work must be done to reassure these people. We need a greater focus on supporting social cohesion in the worst affected areas. These findings should be a wake-up call for the government."  

Far-right violence

The survey, which interviewed 750 Muslims in the UK between 30 September and 14 October, sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by British Muslims in the wake of far-right violence.  

The findings align with a report published by the Runnymede Trust on Tuesday, which revealed a sharp increase in hate crimes against Muslims and explicit rhetoric depicting Muslims as a threat to British society. 

The report also examined the racist riots that took place across the UK this summer, noting that there is widespread anti-Muslim sentiment across Britain.  

Afzal Khan, the British MP for Manchester Rusholme, was joined by his colleagues to take a stand against Islamophobia at an event in Parliament on the same day to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month. 

The event was supported by representatives from Amnesty International and the Muslim Council of Britain to raise awareness and emphasise the importance of challenging hate and discrimination.  

Islamophobia Awareness Month is held annually to highlight the positive contributions of Muslims to society, as well as to raise awareness of Islamophobia and the prejudice British Muslims face in all sectors of society. 

Khan was quoted as saying on Tuesday: "With the surge in Islamophobic hate crime since October 2023, and the far-right rioters we saw attacking mosques and Muslims across the country this summer, it is more important than ever that MPs show their support for British Muslims and re-commit to stamping out Islamophobia."