Funding cut for Islamophobia watchdog sparks concerns in UK
The U.K. government is ending funding for Tell Mama, a key service tracking Islamophobia.
The move threatens its closure just weeks after it reported record hate incidents.
Since 2012, Tell Mama has been funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
But officials say no grant will be given beyond March, with no replacement plan in place.
Police call the service’s data “invaluable” for monitoring hate crimes.
Last year, Tell Mama recorded 10,700 Islamophobic incidents and verified 9,600.
Official figures show Muslims were the most targeted group, making up 38% of hate crime victims.
Founder Fiyaz Mughal calls the funding cut an “injustice” at a time of rising far-right influence in Europe.
He warns that without Tell Mama, victims will have nowhere to turn.
The government says it has made more than $1 million available for Tell Mama this year and is setting up a new working group on anti-Muslim hatred.
Mughal accuses officials of “saying one thing and doing another,” as no alternative service exists.
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