LONDON: Muslim groups in the UK urged the government to conduct an “urgent” independent review of recent far-right riots that targeted asylum centers and mosques to combat rising Islamophobia.
Around 80 organizations were calling for “concrete steps” to and advocating for several measures, including a revised definition of Islamophobia, an investigation into the role of social media in spreading hate, and increased engagement with elected Muslim representatives.
The riots were triggered by misinformation about a stabbing incident in Southport in July, where false claims circulated that the attacker was a Muslim asylum-seeker.
Linsay Taylor, head of community development at Muslim Engagement and Development, emphasized the need for a thorough review. “We want the government to investigate the causes of these riots and address social media’s role in fueling them,” she said. “The review must produce actionable outcomes to prevent future incidents.”
Taylor also highlighted the severe impact of the riots, noting that people were trapped in hotels while their homes were attacked.
The letter also requests that the government adopt a new definition of Islamophobia proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, which describes it as a form of racism targeting expressions of Muslim identity.
A spokesperson for the Islamophobia Action Group stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “Islamophobia has fueled the recent far-right riots, and the government must act immediately. This includes adopting the APPG’s definition of Islamophobia, investigating far-right activities, and engaging with Muslim communities.”
While community leaders have acknowledged the government’s prompt response—such as imprisoning rioters and enhancing mosque security—they still call for better engagement with elected Muslim representatives.
