In a time of growing anti-Muslim hate in Britain, the UK government has chosen to cut off funding to Tell MAMA, the country’s primary Islamophobia monitoring body. This organization tracks and supports victims of Islamophobic abuse. This dubious decision was taken at the end of March 2025. The Tell MAMA funding cuts arrives after a dramatic rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes. In 2024, attacks went up by 73%, according to official reports. Tell MAMA has helped victims since 2012. It has also worked closely with the police, offering invaluable data to track hate groups and violent trends.
Rather than protecting British Muslims, who amount to nearly 4 million, the government instead has chosen to stop supporting the country’s main reporting service. Many human rights groups have spoken out against this move. They warn it could help far-right movements grow stronger and make anti-Muslim bias worse across government and society.
Silence While Hate Grows
The timing of TELL MAMA funding cuts has raised concerns. It came shortly after a wave of hate crimes against Muslims, sparked by the events of October 7 and the Gaza war. Tell MAMA reported a fourfold rise in incidents during that period. Police sources confirmed these numbers. Despite this alarming trend, government officials said little. Instead, they defunded the main group that reports these crimes. Many view this as a quiet message of approval—or at least indifference—towards rising hate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration is now being accused of ignoring the suffering of Muslims in Britain. Critics say the move shows a deeper, systemic bias. By taking away support from a group that serves victims, the UK risks sending a dangerous message: that Muslim lives matter less.
Social Media Amplifying the Hate
Islamophobic abuse is not just happening in public places. It’s also spreading fast online. A report by “Best for Britain” shows how social media platforms allow hate speech to grow. Algorithms reward posts that cause anger and spread fear often fueled by right-wing influencers and politicians. These platforms have done little to stop it.
Tell MAMA tracked these online trends as well. It helped identify and report violent messages and threats. This was a crucial part of its work. Removing this watchdog leaves a gap that will be hard to fill. Without it, many abusers may feel even more free to act hatefully. Lack of online content moderation is fueling a toxic environment. As platforms fail to act, hate becomes normalized.
The UN Condemns Institutional Islamophobia
The international community has taken note. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a clear warning during his March 15 remarks for the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Guterres warned of growing hate against Muslims worldwide. He called it “a disturbing anti-Muslim bigotry” that must be addressed by governments. His comments apply directly to the UK, which has long claimed to stand for human rights.The Tell MAMA Funding Cuts casts doubt on those values.
Britain still funds programs to fight antisemitism and racism against Black people. These efforts are important. But dropping support for Muslim communities shows a double standard. Many now see this as proof of a deeper bias within Western democracies against its Muslim citizens .
Fewer Reports, Not Fewer Crimes
Without Tell MAMA, fewer victims are likely to come forward. This doesn’t mean fewer attacks will happen. It means people won’t feel safe enough to report them. Many Muslims already distrust the police. Without a reliable organization to rely on, more incidents will go unnoticed. Funding cuts for human rights groups will harm minorities and vulnerable communities.
Women wearing hijab will face verbal and physical abuse. School children and small business owners are also frequent targets. These people will now lose one of the few resources they had. By removing this support, the government is making space for hate to grow. Far-right activists and extremists may feel encouraged. They will see the state’s silence as approval.
Political Motivations Behind the Funding Cut
This decision did not happen in a vacuum. Many observers believe it is tied to political strategy. Under Keir Starmer, the Labour Party has taken harder stances—especially regarding the conflict in Gaza. Muslim MPs have been criticized for defending Palestinian rights. Pro-Palestinian events are being restricted. In this setting, the Tell MAMA Funding Cuts looks like more than a financial choice. It looks like a way to silence critical voices. It fits a wider trend: Muslims in the UK feel less heard and less protected.
At the same time, Starmer’s government continues to back groups that fight other forms of hate. This uneven treatment raises serious questions. Why are Muslims left out of these protections? Why is their safety not a priority? These choices show a kind of bias that is built into the system. It’s not just a mistake—it’s part of a pattern.
The Need for Community Action
With Tell MAMA funding cuts, local groups will need to step up. Community leaders, faith organizations, and international allies must work together. They need to fill the gap left behind. But this won’t be easy. Grassroots efforts often lack money, staff, and reach. They do not have the power or support that official programs do. But is there any option left? To protect Muslim communities, people will need to document hate incidents on their own. They will need to support victims and speak out loudly against injustice. This will take courage, time, and global backing.
A Choice That Signals Priorities
Now it is clear the UK’s decision for Tell MAMA Funding Cuts is not just about money. It sends a strong message about who the UK administration value and who is left behind. It shows that when it comes to Muslim communities, the government is willing to look the other way.
For many, this is a betrayal of trust. It is also a warning. If we ignore hate, it will grow. If victims can’t talk, attackers will feel stronger and become more ruthless. And if bias becomes part of state policy, the damage spreads far beyond any one community. Independent media, researchers, and activists have warned about this shift for years. Now, their warnings seem more real than ever.
If the UK—and the West as a whole—wants to fight hatred, it must be fair and consistent. Protecting one group while ignoring another only deepens the divide. The struggle against systemic anti-Muslim bias will go on. But it may now be led from outside the halls of power—from the streets, the margins, and the voices that refuse to stay silent.
