Muslim Rights Advocate Says She Was Refused Service Amid Rising “Everyday Islamophobia”

Muslim Rights Advocate Says She Was Refused Service Amid Rising “Everyday Islamophobia”
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A Muslim women’s rights advocate in the UK has spoken out about being denied service at a London café, describing the incident as part of a growing tide of what she calls “everyday Islamophobia” that is increasingly impacting the social and economic lives of British Muslims.

According to IQNA, the advocate, who asked to remain unnamed, told reporters she was refused access to a small independent café last month and that staff gave no explanation beyond “we’re full”—despite visible empty seats. She said the incident left her feeling “humiliated” and highlighted how Islamophobia has escalated from overt hate crimes into more subtle but pervasive everyday discrimination.

Experts say such incidents are symptomatic of a wider pattern. A recent survey of European Muslims found that nearly 40 percent reported being treated poorly in hospitality settings because of their faith, nationality or ethnicity.

In tandem with these personal accounts, a broader international trend has emerged. The government of Sri Lanka has this week announced a national plan to tackle rising religious-based violence and discrimination, citing what it termed a growing “Islamophobic environment” within parts of the country.

Together, these developments — one rooted in everyday life in the UK and the other within national policy in Sri Lanka — reflect a climate where Muslim individuals and communities face escalating prejudice, both at the personal and institutional levels. Rights foundations are calling for updated training for hospitality and retail sectors, strengthened hate-crime monitoring, and broader public-education campaigns to safeguard social inclusion and religious equity.