7^th October 2025

MEDIA STATEMENT

Muslim Safety Net to empower Muslims in Britain to report hate crime

A new national helpline service, Muslim Safety Net (www.muslimsafetynet.org.uk) has gone live which will be accompanied by a nationwide campaign in October to encourage Muslims, especially women, to report anti-Muslim hate incidents and reclaim their right to safety, dignity, and justice. A formal launch is being held in parliament on the 15^th October. Muslim Women’s Network UK, a charity which already operates a domestic abuse helpline, has set up the new initiative in response to the growing crisis of anti-Muslim hate in public spaces, online platforms, and everyday life. Only around 4,000 incidents were reported to the police in 2024 as over 80% go unreported.

MWNUK CEO and founder, Baroness Shaista Gohir, said: “The current climate of heightened fear and anxiety is forcing many Muslims to change their daily routines, with some even withdrawing from public life. Muslim women, in particular, are likely to be disproportionately affected. The fear of hate crimes may discourage them from volunteering, studying, or seeking employment opportunities. Despite the serious impact on Muslim safety and wellbeing, the government appears to be doing very little to tackle anti-Muslim hostility — sending a troubling message that the security of Muslim communities does not matter.”

To help promote the new service, the charity has partnered with the JCDecaux Community Channel, which is supporting the campaign by sharing it on their public screens across the country on 242 sites, including Birmingham, London, and Manchester. Running from 6 October to 16 November, the campaign has been timed to coincide with National Hate Crime Awareness Week in October and Islamophobia Awareness Month in November — two key moments that highlight the importance of tackling hatred. The charity is grateful to Ayan Aden (Birmingham Poet Laureatefor 2024-26), Sebina Hussain (Creator and Consultant), Sahir Ahmed-Evans (Menopause Coach), and Bilal Shafiq (music artist) for being the faces of the campaign.

Victims and witnesses can report incidents to Muslim Safety Net via an online form or by phone

(0303 330 0288). The service offers advice, support with making police reports, access to emotional support, and referrals to relevant services. In addition to reporting, the Muslim Safety Net website will provide resources to improve legal literacy within Muslim communities and help build a national Muslim Safety Network for sharing information. As the service develops, Muslim Safety Net also hopes to create a pro bono legal panel to provide further assistance.

With the support of Muslim Women’s Network UK’s existing funders — including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Coutts Foundation, and Pears Foundation — MWNUK has been able to create the new website, develop the reporting database, and allocate staff time to establish the service. However, until dedicated funding is secured, Muslim Safety Net will be run by a team of trained volunteers.

Report anti-Muslim hate incidents: www.muslimsafetynet.org.uk / 0330 330 0288

Additional Information

1. Muslim Safety Net – www.muslimsafetynet.org.uk / 0303 330 0288.

2. Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) is a registered charity (no.1155092)

3. 80% of Muslims do not report anti-Muslim experiences according to report by MWNUK, Anti-Muslim Hate: Concerns and Experiences (Sept 2024).