A rise in extreme right-wing activity over the past week has resulted in a significant increase in threats and hate crimes against Muslims in the UK, according to a national monitoring group.
According to Tell Mama, there has been a fivefold increase in threats such as rape and death and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents since Monday, reported The Guardian.
Muslims in Britain have faced increased fear and threats due to this surge in right-wing activity. Tell Mama, which monitors anti-Muslim hate crimes, noted that ten mosques, including those in Southport, Liverpool, and Hartlepool, have experienced attacks or threats.
The data, collected from 26 July to 2 August, shows a significant rise compared to the same period last year. This includes both online and real-world incidents. Last year's figures were already elevated due to hate crimes linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, reported the newspaper.
Women wearing hijabs have reported threats on the streets, and many Muslims are now too scared to leave their homes.
Tell Mama's director, Iman Atta, linked the rise in incidents to misinformation spread by the far-right following the Southport attacks. "This led to far-right anti-Muslim hate marches across the UK and more hate online," she said.
Atta emphasised that while people can have concerns about immigration, it does not justify vandalising mosques or threatening Muslim communities, reported The Guardian. She described the marches and violence as terrorising communities, leading to increased fear among Muslims.
The full data from Tell Mama will be released soon.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)