LONDON, British Muslim leaders have called on the UK government to take urgent action against rising anti-Muslim hate crimes after new research revealed that a mosque is attacked every five days across Britain on average.
The findings, released by the British Muslim Trust (BMT), highlight a sharp increase in attacks targeting mosques and Muslim communities, with London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands identified as the regions most affected. According to the report, London recorded nine separate attacks on mosques, while one mosque in Birmingham was targeted three times within a single year.
The report documents more than 70 incidents against mosques over the past year, ranging from vandalism, harassment, hate speech, and arson attempts to violent attacks. It also notes that anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales increased by 19 percent compared with the previous year.
British Muslim Trust representatives warned that many mosques continue to face significant challenges in accessing government security funding despite increasing threats. They said applications for security grants often take up to 18 months to process, while numerous requests are rejected without clear explanations.
Akeela Ahmed of the British Muslim Trust urged the government to simplify funding procedures and strengthen protection for places of worship, arguing that mosques should not have to wait until they are attacked before qualifying for additional security measures.
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The report also points to broader concerns over growing Islamophobia in Britain, with separate survey findings suggesting that one in six Britons believes the increasing Muslim population poses a threat to British culture.
The UK government has pledged £40 million to improve mosque security through CCTV systems, alarms, fencing, and other protective measures. However, Muslim community leaders argue that the current system requires urgent reform to ensure funding reaches vulnerable institutions more quickly.
The issue has gained renewed attention as Britain’s largest Muslim gathering, Jalsa Salana, is taking place under heightened security following recent threats against Islamic events, with community leaders stressing that greater engagement and interfaith dialogue remain the strongest response to rising hatred.
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