Ijtima under threat

2Sky News, Dozen arrested by counter terror police over suspected threat to Islamic event, 13 Jul 2026

"The 11 men and one woman arrested are from the South East, East and Greater Manchester areas. The allegations included three suspects who were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder over the UK Ijtima event."

Mosque Replica on Bonfire

Arrest after mosque replica put on top of loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland - as Muslim Council warns UK on 'dangerous path' www.lbc.co.uk/article/mosq...

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 9 July 2026 at 20:19

Belfast Situation

Coverage of the Belfast situation can be found on Virtually Islamic News

MCB, MCB Launches Groundbreaking British Muslims in Numbers: Two Volume Report Analysis of Census Data Trends Over 20 Years, 13 May 2026

Fasting and Foodbanks

The Big Issue, Striking photos capture British Muslim families breaking fast during Ramadan in food bank Britain, 18 Mar 2026

"Muslims in the UK have been forced to rely on food banks during the holy month of Ramadan to prepare meals for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast."

Anti-Muslim Hostility

gov.uk, Anti-Muslim Hostility Definition, 10 Mar 2026

"The Government appointed an independent working group in 2025 to look at this issue. We have adopted a new non- statutory (not legal) definition to help provide clarity and support further action to tackle anti-Muslim hostility."

Al Jazeera, UK media biased against Muslims, says group that analysed 40,000 articles, 9 Mar 2026

"Centre for Media Monitoring reports right-wing outlets The Spectator and GB News often malign Muslims and their faith."

Report link

Lord Henry Stanley

Rumeana Jahangir, BBC News, The Victorian aristocrat who became first British Muslim lord, 15 Feb 2026

"Disillusioned with Britain's expanding imperialism, Stanley quit the diplomatic service in 1858 and decided to become a Muslim some months later while travelling in Arabia." Not keen on Welsh in schools, apparently, but an interesting figure.

ELM Policy Reviews

LBC, East London mosque that 'banned' girls over 12 from charity run 'reviewing its policies' after backlash, 16 Nov 2025 "A charity run that stopped women and girls over 12 from taking part is "reviewing its policies" after a backlash."

Prevent Statistics

Sky News, Highest ever number of referrals to anti-extremism Prevent programme, 6 Nov 2025

"There was an increase in people referred for "extreme right-wing" concerns, as they accounted for 21% (1,798) - a 37% rise from 1,314 (19%) the year before.

That was higher than those related to "Islamist extremism", which accounted for 10% (879) compared with 13% (913) the previous year.

Bradford Politics

Interesting points here

Interesting reflections on the dynamics of politics in Bradford (and beyond) from @politicshome.bsky.social

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 6 November 2025 at 09:56

Mosque Security

LBC, UK mosques and Muslim faith centres to get £10m security funding boost after string of hate crime attacks, 23 Oct 2025

"This additional £10 million funding means more sites can be protected and builds on the £29.4 million already available this year for mosques and Muslim faith schools."

Mosque Run Controversy

Tower Hamlets mayor slammed for defending mosque's decision to ban women and girls over 12 from charity fun run www.lbc.co.uk/article/towe...

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 15 October 2025 at 00:16

Farage Case

online dimensions to this case(among other things)…

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 14 October 2025 at 22:24

Qur'an Burning Case

Evening Standard/MSN, Man who burned Koran in London wins appeal against conviction, 11 October 2025

"Hamit Coskun was found guilty earlier this year of a religiously aggravated public order offence having shouted “f*** Islam” while holding the flaming religious text aloft outside the Turkish consulate in England’s capital city in February."

Hate Crime Figures

BBC News, Hate crime in England and Wales rises for first time in three years, 9 Oct 2025

"The number of hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales has risen for the first time in three years, including increases in race and religiously motivated offences, Home Office figures, external show."

Also see Home Office, Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025, 9 Oct 2025 for the extended analysis and statistical sources.

Manchester Attacker

"Police confirm the attacker made the call after he crashed his car into a brick wall."

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 8 October 2025 at 15:56

More details on the social media influences on synagogue attacker …

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— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 7 October 2025 at 09:07

Child marriage allegation

BBC News, Imam charged after children married in mosque, 2 Sep 2025

"Northamptonshire Police said Ashraf Osmani had been charged under forced marriage legislation after he allegedly conducted a Nikah wedding ceremony involving two 16-year-olds at Northampton Central Mosque in November 2023."

Green Party

Aisha Rimi, Hyphen, Mothin Ali elected co-deputy leader of the Green party, 2 Sep 2025

"Ali, who won 33.5% of first-preference votes for the deputy leader position, becomes the only Muslim serving as a leader or deputy leader of a mainstream political party in England and Wales. He will serve alongside Rachel Millward, who won 22.8% of first-preference votes and was the last candidate standing after an 11-stage process."

Flag campaign impact

Al Jazeera, MSN, UK Muslims report vandalism, attacks amid controversial flag campaign, 1 Sep 2025

"Wajid Akhter, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, said, “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.”"