Attacks on British mosques intensify in wave of 'sustained harassment'

British mosques are facing an increasing wave of attacks and harassment, according to a new report. From the year ending in July 2026, there were 78 incidents against mosques and buildings owned by Muslim organizations in the UK and Channel Islands, averaging one incident every five days. The research, conducted by the British Muslim Trust (BMT), revealed a decline in lower-level threats, such as drawing crosses, placing hateful slogans, and damaging property, but a rise in more severe incidents involving arson, weapons, threats of murder, and violence.

These include failed plans for mass casualties, of which there were no incidents the previous year. The attacks occurred across 64 mosques and buildings, with almost one-fifth of these premises experiencing multiple attacks in the same year. This surge in anti-Muslim hostility, according to the BMT's chief executive Akeela Ahmed, highlights the vulnerability of mosques simply due to their existence.

The Home Office has allocated £40 million in funding to protect mosques and Muslim community organizations in the UK, but some mosques have faced delays in obtaining this support. The BMT has called for a broader effort to tackle the root causes of hate against Muslim communities, emphasizing the need to make mosques safe for Muslim communities amid the rising tide of hate.