A coalition of eighty Muslim organisations and community leaders has urged immediate government action against Islamophobia following the recent far-right riots, with their demands including engagement with representative bodies like the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)

The declaration was issued by the Islamophobia Action Group, which was formed in response to the recent violent far-right riots. It was signed by prominent organisations, Muslim Engagement and Development Initiative, the Muslim Association of Britain and the Muslim Council of Wales.

“Islamophobia has surged alarmingly in recent months, culminating in serious far-right attacks,” read the statement. 

“It is essential that the government takes immediate steps to build a strong, collaborative relationship with Muslim communities, fostering unity and ensuring that all groups feel represented and heard. This is a pivotal moment.”

A key demand is for the government to “engage directly with legitimate, democratically elected representatives of Muslim communities, particularly the Muslim Council of Britain, to ensure that Muslim voices are heard and addressed.”

In 2009, the then-Labour government broke off relations with the MCB due to the actions of a former member before restoring links a year later. But the Tories ceased engagement with the organisation when they came into power in 2010.

MCB secretary-general Zara Mohammed has met with various political leaders since she took up the role in 2021, including the now Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Lib Dems leader Sir Ed Davey. Meanwhile, influential Tory figures like the former MP Steve Baker had also met with MCB figures and urged the Tories to restore links with them.

APPG  definition of Islamophobia

The statement highlighted that an “alarming” rise in hate and violence towards Muslims has exposed the “dangerous normalisation” of Islamophobia in society.

It called for an urgent independent investigation into far-right activities, particularly examining how social media platforms, mainstream media, and political narratives contribute to perpetuating hate and Islamophobia.

Another key demand included the government’s immediate adoption of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia.

“The government must officially adopt the APPG definition, without delay, to send a clear message that Islamophobia will not be tolerated. The normalisation of anti-Muslim sentiment has been a key driver of the recent violence,” it said. 

The APPG on British Muslims definition states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.

This definition, published in 2019, has been widely adopted by community groups, political parties, academics, trade unions, and local authorities across Britain. Notably, the Conservative Party’s English branch remains the only major political party that has not adopted it.

”Islamophobia has fueled the recent far-right riots, and the consequences are clear and dangerous,” said a spokesperson for the Islamophobia Action Group.

“The government must act now by adopting the APPG definition of Islamophobia; investigate far-right activities; and engage directly with Muslim communities and their national representatives.

“This is a critical moment to address the root causes of hate and to protect our society.”