A wave of Islamophobia has swept across the United Kingdom, leaving a trail of vandalism and attacks on Muslim communities. The recent desecration of a mosque in Basildon, Essex, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
The incident, which involved red crosses being daubed across the walls of the South Essex Islamic Centre alongside the words “Christ is King” and “This is England,” has been described as “pathetic criminal cowardice” by Gavin Callaghan, the leader of Basildon Council.
The vandalism occurred amid a nationwide flag-raising campaign, dubbed #OperationRaisetheColours, which has been linked to racist incidents.
According to the anti-far-right HOPE not hate group, the campaign is led by Andrew Currien, a former member of the Islamophobic English Defence League and now a security figure for the political party Britain First.
This campaign has seen the flag of England bearing Saint George’s Cross and Union Jacks being pinned to motorway bridges, lampposts, roundabouts, and some shops across the UK.
Akmal, a 33-year-old electrical engineer and member of the mosque, expressed his hurt and concern, saying, “I was so hurt… It was so close to home.
My local masjid [mosque]. It felt like a real kick in the teeth.” He added, “My wife and baby are growing up here… I want to move out of the area. I just cannot stay here.” The community has come together to condemn the attack, with local bishops decrying the misuse of Christian imagery in the vandalism.
They issued a joint statement calling the vandalism “scandalous and profoundly misguided,” saying that invoking Christianity to justify racism is “theologically false and morally dangerous”.
Shabna Begum, head of Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, attributed the spate of vandalism to a “frightening intensification of Islamophobia” driven by political and media narratives scapegoating Muslim communities.
“The violence being played out on our streets and the vandalism of mosques is the product of a political and media soundtrack that has relentlessly demonised Muslim communities,” she said. “Whether it is policy or narratives, we have been fed a monotonous diet that tells us that our economic problems are caused by Muslims, migrants and people seeking asylum.”
The UK has seen a rise in Islamophobic incidents, with Muslims facing increased hostility and abuse. Maryam, a Muslim woman living in Basildon, highlighted the “attack on the Muslim community” and emphasized that it reflects a dark climate.
“There’s a line between being patriotic and being outright racist or Islamophobic – and some people here are crossing that line,” she said. Sajid Fani, a resident of Basildon, expressed shock at the vandalism, saying, “I didn’t expect something like that to happen here.”
He added, “It’s the fear factor. They [media channels] put terror in the hearts of people when it comes to Muslims. I want to show people we are just like them. We’re just human.”
Wajid Akhter, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, condemned the vandalism, stating, “the St George flag is a symbol of England we should all be proud of. For it to be used in this way, [which] echoes how Nazis targeted Jewish homes, is a disgrace to our flag and our nation. Silence has allowed hate to grow.” The incident has sparked fears among Muslim communities, with many feeling exposed and unprotected.
As the UK grapples with this rise in Islamophobia, it’s essential to recognize the structural inequalities facing Muslim communities.
A report by the Runnymede Trust highlights the need for committed action to counter Islamophobia and deal with the resurgence of far-right racism in Britain. The report emphasizes that governments that fail to confront economic grievances while scapegoating minorities ultimately collapse.
The community has come together to show resilience, with mosque leaders encouraging worshippers to attend Friday prayers in greater numbers. Fani said the turnout was larger than usual: “Alhumdulillah [Thank God], it resulted in more people coming to the mosque, so the outcome was positive.”
As the investigation into the vandalism continues, it’s crucial for authorities to address the underlying issues driving this Islamophobic sentiment and work towards creating a more inclusive and tolerant society.