Worrying rise in Islamophobia in London

According to the Metropolitan Police, anti-Islamic slogans were inscribed on the walls of mosques and community centers during the incidents, which occurred between January 6 and 25, 2025. The sites of hate attacks included Noor al-Islam Primary School and mosques like Noor al-Islam and Jamia Lytton.
"Our mosque has been a part of this community since 1993 and over all these years we have experienced the love and respect of our neighbors. The outpouring of support from individuals from all walks of life today has profoundly touched us." said a statement from the Stratford Islamic Association, whose mosque was targeted on January 23.
The statement added: "This despicable and cowardly act will only serve to shame the perpetrators. But we will not be intimidated and will stand together in unity and strength."
Metropolitan Police said they were investigating the incidents as a series of hate crimes and believed they were linked to a hate group on the Telegram platform. The group is said to have offered rewards of up to £100 to those who carry out the attacks.
Deputy Commissioner of Police John Saul condemned the incidents, saying: "We understand that this series of attacks has caused deep concern among Muslim communities. Hate has no place on our streets and tackling it is at the heart of our efforts to keep all Londoners safe."
He added that police had increased local patrols in the targeted areas and were in close contact with community leaders to ensure their safety and well-being.
The UK has seen a dramatic rise in Islamophobic attacks, particularly since the country's exit from the European Union. The report from the group "Tell Mama" claims that there were 30% more Islamophobic crimes committed last year than the year before.
The pervasive use of social media by hate groups to incite violence against Muslim communities is one factor contributing to this rise. Social media platforms are frequently used by extremist organizations to plan and publicize such actions.
Leaders of the Muslim community and civil society organizations in the UK have called for more serious measures from the government and police to combat Islamophobia and protect religious places. Human rights organizations also emphasize the need to adopt stricter laws to deal with online hate speech.