Racist Attacks and Mosque Vandalism Surge Across UK Communities
Racist Attacks and Mosque Vandalism Surge Across UK Communities
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A rise in racist incidents and mosque vandalism across the United Kingdom has left many Muslim families saying they feel unsafe and overlooked, according to a report by IQNA, citing community accounts and official data.
In Basildon, Essex, Muslim residents have reported incidents including objects thrown at children, racist graffiti on a local mosque, and verbal abuse directed at women wearing hijabs. According to the 2021 census, Muslims make up less than 2 percent of Basildon’s population. Community members say women have altered daily routines due to safety concerns.
Similar accounts have emerged elsewhere. In Glasgow, a mother withdrew her daughter from primary school after repeated racist taunts, while families in northwest Scotland reported what they described as a normalization of racist name-calling in schools.
In Manchester, police arrested a man who allegedly entered Manchester Central Mosque carrying weapons during evening Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan. About 2,000 worshippers were present at the time.
Official figures reflect a broader trend. In October 2025, the UK Home Office reported the first rise in recorded hate crimes in three years in England and Wales, including a 19 percent increase in religious hate crimes against Muslims.
The Runnymede Trust has warned that hostile political rhetoric and social tensions are contributing to heightened vulnerability, particularly in areas where minority communities are small and more visible.
