Hate Crime Targeting UK Mosques More than Doubled in Past Year, Figures Show
Police forces recorded 110 hate crimes directed at Muslim places of worship between March and July this year, up from 47 over the same six month period in 2016.
The Press Association reports that racist abuse, acts of vandalism at mosques and bomb threats feature heavily among the reported hate crimes.
Smashed windows at mosques, damage to cars parked outside and graffiti were all recorded along with physical assaults on Muslims on their way in or out of the buildings, two cases of arson and two complaints of bacon being left on mosque doors.
Britain’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott called the figures "deeply troubling”.
"Attacks on any religious group or minority are abominable,” she said, adding: "These anti-Muslim attacks will be condemned by all decent people.”
Fiyaz Mughal, Director of Faith Matters which works to increase community cohesion, told The Independent it was vital to acknowledge that terrorism was the driving factor behind the "worryingly consistent” level of mosque attacks.
He added that social media companies had to step up and accept responsibility for hate speech being allowed to flourish online.
"We have seen a rise in anti-Muslim extremism and far-right activity online, with a very slow, dinosaur approach from social media companies to take off hate, and an utter denial for three or four years that this was their responsibility.
"They are now taking steps, but they are baby steps.”
He said the biggest driver of anti-Muslim hate is terrorist attacks and they must be reduced.
Source: The Independent
