London – The Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) today reported data showing a massive and sustained increase in Islamophobic incidents in the UK in the year after the Hamas-led attack in Israel in October 2023.
The 763% increase tracks reports of Islamophobia in the UK made to the IRU, and may be due to a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment combined with increased awareness of Islamophobia.
It is the largest increase of Islamophobic incidents in Britain ever recorded in the organisation’s history, with specific increases reported by British Muslims in the workplace and in educational settings.
The IRU will continue to support our clients in all areas, but this year we will focus our resources on cases of Islamophobia in the workplace.
Majid Iqbal, CEO of the IRU, said:
“Muslims should be protected in UK law like Jews and Sikhs. While anti-Semitism and anti-Sikhism are seen as both race-based and religious prejudice, Islamophobia is only recognised as religious — not race-based.”
“The IRU recognises that continuing acts of Islamophobia in Britain must be addressed by our national leaders, stakeholders and institutions, however our part will be to continue to bring Tribunal proceedings in appropriate cases stemming from Islamophobic incidents in the UK.”
“UK employers accused of Islamophobia will no longer be able to ignore the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Conciliation process, nor can they refuse to engage in settlement discussions; if they do, they are likely to find themselves before the court.”
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