Leading British Muslims accuse Reform UK of stoking anti-Muslim sentiments

Leading British Muslims accuse Reform UK of stoking anti-Muslim sentiments
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Leading British Muslims have accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party of fostering hostility towards Muslims following the resignation of party chair Zia Yusuf over a burqa ban controversy, The Guardian reported. Yusuf, who chaired the party for less than a year, quit citing that his efforts were no longer well spent, after criticizing MP Sarah Pochin’s push for a burqa ban, which is not official party policy. Farage supported a debate on the issue but did not back Yusuf’s stance.

The British Muslim Network co-chair described Yusuf’s resignation as evidence that many in Reform UK do not regard British Muslims as equal members of society. Muslim leaders, including Baroness Shaista Gohir and Akeela Ahmed, condemned the party for normalizing anti-Muslim sentiment and using coded language to fuel division and intolerance.

Labour MP Afzal Khan highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric, linking it to increased hate incidents. Former Tory minister Sayeeda Warsi criticized Pochin’s actions as “dog whistle” politics, distracting from pressing issues like the cost of living.