Due to the current situation in Gaza and the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK, British Muslims are going through a difficult time this Ramadan, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
On Monday, Starmer attended the ‘The Big Iftar’ event organized by the All-Party Parliamentary Group in the UK Parliament. During his brief speech before iftar, he first thanked British Muslims for their contributions to various sectors in the UK.
Expressing sympathy for Gaza’s Muslims, Starmer said, “I know how deeply British Muslims are pained by the conflict and the current situation in Gaza. I can feel their pain.”
He also voiced concern over the rising hatred toward Muslims in the UK, blaming far-right extremists for this trend. Starmer said, “Since the killing of three young girls in Southpost last summer, anti-Muslim sentiment has been on the rise. Far-right groups are stoking this sentiment daily through hateful rhetoric and spreading misinformation. I am deeply concerned about the current atmosphere of hate.”
Referring to a recent survey, Starmer noted, “In 2024, the highest number of hate crimes targeting Muslims in UK history was recorded. It was a huge shock for us.”
He added, “I believed that hatred towards other religions and cultures would gradually decrease in the UK, but in reality, the opposite is happening. People are facing hateful language or attacks as soon as they step outside. Concerns over safety for themselves, their families, and their children are increasing daily.”
However, Starmer pointed to a sign of hope, mentioning that during last summer’s riots in Southpost, while a mosque’s wall was destroyed by an angry crowd, it was the same people who helped rebuild it. “This is the true spirit of the British people,” he concluded.