Anti-Muslim incidents affected 25 mosques across the country

Mosques in the United Kingdom were targeted in anti-Muslim attacks at an average rate of one every five days between July and October 2025, according to a report published by the British Muslim Trust (BMT), one of the UK government's official partners for monitoring anti-Muslim hate crime.

The report, titled *Summer of Division: Nationwide Rise in Anti-Muslim Hate*, documented 27 verified anti-Muslim hate incidents targeting mosques and Muslim community centres during the four-month period.

According to the report, 25 mosques were directly affected in attacks recorded across 23 cities and towns. The areas of Wirral, Epsom and Watford experienced repeated or clustered attacks on mosques.

Religious and national symbols used to intimidate

The report said 41% of the attacks involved the use of crosses, Union flags, St George's flags or Christian symbols and slogans in what it described as attempts to intimidate Muslim communities.

Around 26% of the incidents involved violence, including damage to mosque windows, physical attacks and arson.

The report noted that attacks evolved during the July-October period from isolated acts of vandalism into more coordinated campaigns involving symbolic intimidation and violent assaults, with an increase in arson attacks and repeat targeting of mosques.

Report calls for stronger protection

According to the report, many Muslims perceived the incidents not as random acts of vandalism or expressions of patriotism, but as harassment and intimidation that questioned their place in British society because of their faith.

The British Muslim Trust called on police, local authorities and government officials to provide faster and stronger support to affected communities, establish rapid response protocols for hate crimes targeting mosques and improve information sharing among relevant authorities.

Source:AA