** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Rights group Muslim Engagement & Development (MEND) have launched a new report The Great Debunk: Challenging Islamophobic Conspiracy Theories, which examines how false narratives about Muslims once limited to the far-right fringes have entered mainstream political,...
This article originally appeared on 5Pillars on May 14. As Reform UK surged in the 2026 local elections, another major political shift unfolded across Britain: hundreds of Muslims were elected to councils, many as independents or Green Party candidates. Muslim voters are no longer retreating from...
Muslim Engagement and Development unequivocally condemns the devastating terrorist attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego – a vile, hateful act of Islamophobic violence that has shaken the entire Muslim community and all people of conscience. Three innocent lives were taken – a...
Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally was not an exercise in free speech. It was part of a coordinated attack on the Muslim community , deliberately dressed in the language of religious criticism to evade legal accountability. From the stage, Kellie-Jay Keen called to ” get Islam out of...
Islamophobia is rising in the UK and around the world, threatening the safety, dignity and lives of Muslim communities. The International Day to Combat Islamophobia was established in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks, in which 51 Muslims were murdered while attending Friday prayers....
MEND is deeply concerned by proposals contained within the Government’s new “Protecting What Matters” social cohesion strategy which seek to expand the powers of the Charity Commission to suspend trustees and ultimately shut down charities on the basis of alleged “extremist abuse.” While...
The government has unveiled its definition of “anti-Muslim hostility” aimed at addressing discrimination against Muslims. However, this represents a watered-down definition that falls short of what many Muslim organisations and experts have consistently called for in recognising and addressing...
Last night, two men armed with an axe, hammer, knife and other weapons entered Manchester Central Mosque, during evening prayers. One was apprehended while the other fled the scene. No attack took place and no worshippers were harmed. Alhamdulillah. We commend mosque security and volunteers for...
MEND notes with alarm that recent leaks in the media suggest that instead of publishing its much-awaited definition of Islamophobia, the government may instead produce a definition of “anti-Muslim hostility.” While this is intended to reassure concerns around freedom of expression, such a shift...
MEND welcomes the government’s announcement of an additional £10 million to protect mosques, Muslim faith centres and schools across the UK through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme. This investment, which gives funding for CCTV, alarm systems, fencing and security personnel, is a vital...
