The United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council (UK-IMC) Statement on the Attack at East Sussex Mosque
The United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council (UK-IMC) unequivocally condemns the violent attack on a mosque in East Sussex. This appalling act is not only an assault on a sacred place of worship but also a racist, Islamophobic act of terror intended to harm, intimidate, terrorise, and instill fear among the members of Muslim community in the UK.
The arson at East Sussex Mosque is not an isolated incident, but one among more than a dozen anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in just the past five weeks.
We extend our deepest solidarity to the Muslim community of East Sussex and all those affected. No one in Britain should ever fear practising their faith or gathering in worship.
This incident is part of a deeply troubling rise in Islamophobic hate crimes across the United Kingdom. It mirrors a wider global pattern of hostility towards Muslims, fuelled by online disinformation, far-right narratives, and transnational networks of hate.
UK-IMC calls upon the Home Office, local authorities, and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and take urgent steps to safeguard Muslim places of worship nationwide. We urgently call for the criminalisation of Islamophobia, fully adopting the APPG definition, as these are not merely hate crimes but racially motivated attacks.
The attack on the East Sussex mosque is a reminder that Islamophobia is not random — it is systemic, organised, and emboldened by right-wing narratives, and global hate networks. The government must take decisive action to confront this threat and reaffirm that there is no place for hate in Britain.
The United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council urges:
• Robust monitoring and reporting of Islamophobic hate incidents and extremist activity.
• Stronger enforcement and legislation to tackle hate speech both online and offline.
UK-IMC stands firmly with British Muslims and all communities who reject hate and uphold the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect that define a plural, democratic Britain.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the worshippers, their families, and the East Sussex community during this difficult time.
Media Contact:
United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council (UK-IMC)
📧 info@ukimc.org 🌐 www.ukimc.org
Official Statement from the UK-IMC Regarding the Air India Flight Incident
The United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council offers its sincerest condolences and profound prayers to all individuals impacted by the tragic incident involving the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport, London.
This devastating incident, described as the most tragic air crash in a decade, has deeply impacted families across communities, particularly members of the Gujarati diaspora, as they are the most impacted according to the media reports. We are especially saddened to learn that among the victims are many UK citizens of Indian origin who have lost their lives or their loved ones.
As more details emerge, we stand in solidarity with all the bereaved families during this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we pray that all those who have passed find peace, and their families find strength and comfort.
The UK-IMC urges community members to come together in support, offering whatever help and compassion we can to all those in mourning. We also call upon relevant authorities to provide timely assistance and transparent information to the families impacted.
May God grant patience and healing to all those who are grieving.
'Portfolios of Hate' is out
The report reveals venomous hate and Islamophobia utilised to gain or retain power in India has doubled.
‘Portfolios of Hate’ comprises a curated list of non-exhaustive of 70 instances of hate speech, meticulously recorded by national media houses from across various regions in India. Of the 70 incidents analysed, involving 36 personalities, a striking trend emerges. During the first term of the BJP-led NDA government (2014-2019), 23 incidents of hate speech were recorded. However, this number doubled during the second term (2019-2024), with 47 cases reported.
This significant surge in hate speech instances underscores the re-ascendance of Hindutva ideology to parliamentary power. It has emboldened politicians to propagate Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and other forms of targeted hate with impunity.
The cost of hate:
In many cases, the verbal and symbolic violence of leaders has translated into physical violence by followers on the ground. Hindu religious festivals and mythological references are often invoked to vilify Muslims and other religious minorities.
Broad categories of hate speech:
While the primary focus of the report is on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, the incidents included in the document fall into broader categories:
- Islamophobic disinformation campaigns and calls for violence against Muslims.
- Targeted campaigns for violence and social boycotts against religious minorities.
- Speech reflecting patriarchal and misogynistic attitudes towards women.
- Anti-immigrant hate speech to instill fear and foster collective hate.
- Hate and disinformation campaigns against farmers and other marginalized sections protesting authoritarian laws.
By raising awareness about the prevalence and implications of hate speech, we hope to foster dialogue and promote tolerance in our society.
'Portfolios of Hate' released
Here is the video of the launching of our first report of the year ‘Portfolios of Hate. We explain here the key findings of the report
“Denied entry to India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry. All my documents were valid & current (UK passport & OCI)”
Prof. Nitasha Kaul, on her deportation
UK-IMC statement in support of Professor Nitasha Kaul
26 Feb 2024
We urge the British government to challenge the deportation of UK Professor Nitasha Kaul and the ongoing attempts of the Indian government to suppress academic freedom
Prof Kaul's deportation is part of a concerning trend of silencing dissenting voices that challenge the authoritarian actions of the Indian government and highlight the Indian government's fragility and oppressive stance against free exchange of ideas.
Professor Nitasha Kaul, a respected scholar in Politics, International Relations and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Westminster, was in Bangalore at the request of the state government of Karnataka to discuss democratic and constitutional principles. She has been a vocal defender of minority rights in India and a critic of Hindutva (a Hindu supremacist ideology).
The Hindutva regime in India has previously demonstrated similar fragility and authoritarianism towards academia. For instance, in 2022, Filippo Osella, a professor at the University of Sussex in the UK, was forcibly removed from Thiruvananthapuram airport.
As an advocacy movement committed to protecting the rights of Indian Muslims and other minorities while opposing Hindutva and other extremist ideologies, the UK-Indian Muslim Council firmly condemns these cowardly attempts to curtail academic freedom. It is crucial to nurture environments that value diverse viewpoints, critical thinking, and open discussions.
We express unwavering support for Professor Nitasha Kaul and all scholars facing similar challenges in exercising their academic freedom and call on the UK government to confront India's violation of scholars' rights and their essential role in educating and engaging with the public.