On Monday, the British government announced a pledge of £117 million ($150 million) aimed at safeguarding Muslim communities in response to the escalating issue of Islamophobia.
This commitment comes shortly after an additional allocation of funds was promised to bolster security for Jewish groups in light of increasing incidents of anti-Semitism.
The newly earmarked funding is intended for the protection of mosques, Muslim faith schools, and various community centers, according to government sources.
Last month, Tell Mama, an organization that tracks anti-Muslim incidents, reported a 335% surge in cases following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
“We will not tolerate anti-Muslim hatred in our society. Exploiting events in the Middle East to justify abuse against British Muslims is unacceptable,” stated Home Secretary (Interior Minister) James Cleverly.
Despite the announcement, ongoing accusations of Islamophobia within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party cast a shadow.
Last month, a lawmaker was suspended for insinuating that the Muslim mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was influenced by Islamists.
While Sunak denounced the remarks as unacceptable, criticism arose over his and other ministers’ reluctance to characterise them as racist or Islamophobic.
A survey conducted in February revealed that 29% of Britons believed the Conservative Party had an issue with Islamophobia.
“Cleverly reiterated, “The prime minister has made it unequivocally clear that we stand in solidarity with Muslims across the UK. This is precisely why we have pledged this funding.”
Sunak cautioned last month that Britain’s multicultural democracy was under intentional threat from both Islamist and far-right extremists.
The government is set to introduce a fresh official definition of extremism to prevent groups promoting unacceptable views from accessing state funding or support.
Communities Minister Michael Gove, responsible for outlining the new definition, noted that certain recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in central London were organised by “extremist organisations”.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Gove clarified, “This doesn’t imply that individuals participating in these events are extremists; quite the contrary.
“However, it raises questions about whether one should endorse such organisations.”
However, more than 50 survivors or relatives of victims of Islamist attacks in Britain penned a letter accusing some politicians of “linking Muslim identity with extremism”, thereby inadvertently supporting militants.
“It is the height of irresponsibility,” their letter declared.