Islamophobia and how to deal with its rise

5 December 2025

There have already been more than 1,000 Islamophobic hate crimes recorded in London in 2025. This figure is likely to be the tip of the iceberg with an estimated 80% of anti-Muslim incidents going unreported.

Islamophobia is more than a problem for the Muslim community; it is a concern for everyone who loves London.

Today, the London Assembly called on the Mayor to ensure the MOPAC Budget submission 2026-27 commits further funding for a seventh tranche of the Shared Endeavour Fund and to continue to stand against Islamophobia and all forms of hate crime.

Marina Ahmad AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“London’s diversity is its strength, but the rise in Islamophobic hate threatens the very fabric of who we are as a city. By committing to stronger support, better training, and sustained investment in community-led initiatives, we are taking a stand for an inclusive London where every community feels safe, valued and protected.”

Hina Bokhari AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“Every Londoner deserves to feel safe, valued and at home in this city. This motion sends a clear message from the London Assembly that Islamophobia has no place here and we will stand with Muslim communities and take action to confront hatred in all its forms.”

The full text of the motion is:

London’s greatest strength is its diversity. Our city is a home and beacon of hope for people of all faiths and none, of all races and backgrounds, of all sexualities and identities.

In recent years, there has been a clear escalation in Islamophobic hatred which has become a normalised and accepted part of the everyday experience of British Muslims. There have already been more than 1,000 Islamophobic hate crime recorded in London in 2025. This figure is likely to be the tip of the iceberg with an estimated 80% of anti-Muslim incidents going unreported.

Islamophobia is more than a problem for the Muslim community; it is a concern for everyone who loves London. This is about the kind of city we want to be, the kind of inclusive democracy we want to protect, and the kind of future for everybody that we want to build.

The Assembly welcomes that, since 2016 the Mayor has invested more than £16 million – more than any other mayor – to tackle hate, intolerance and extremism in London. This includes support for the Shared Endeavour Fund which funds organisations rooted in communities to teach young people how to identify and reject hateful narratives.

We, the London Assembly, stand against Islamophobia and all forms of hate crime, and call on the Mayor to:

Ensure the MOPAC Budget submission 2026-27 commits further funding for a seventh tranche of the Shared Endeavour Fund.

Commit to publishing completion rates for GLA staff on both facilitated training and e-learning courses for diversity and inclusion to the London Assembly Oversight Committee through Workforce Reports.
Commit to tasking each functional body of the GLA with embedding its own religious awareness and hate crime training for staff.
Continue to stand against Islamophobia and all forms of hate crime.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube

Follow @LondonAssembly

Notes

The motion was agreed by 20 votes for and 0 votes against
Marina Ahmad AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interview.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

source: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly