Mosques ‘waiting months’ for security promised by the government despite surge in attacks

The Guardian (UK)IndependentProgressive10 hr. ago

According to new data from the government’s partner organization, the British Muslim Trust reports that one mosque in the UK is attacked every five days, with over 70 attacks recorded in the past year. These attacks include intimidation, violence, property damage, harassment, hate speech, online abuse, and vandalism. The top regions affected are London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands. Anti-Muslim hate crimes in England and Wales increased by 19% in the past year. The British Muslim Trust criticized the government’s funding scheme for mosque security, stating that mosques face delays and denials in accessing funds despite needing protection. Chief Executive Akeela Ahmed emphasized that the current process creates barriers and leaves communities vulnerable, urging faster and more accessible support.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue of mosque attacks as a growing crisis requiring urgent government action, highlighting systemic failures in the funding process. It emphasizes the vulnerability of Muslim communities and criticizes the bureaucratic hurdles faced by mosques seeking security. While the UK,

The IndependentIndependentProgressive10 hr. ago

Mosques in the UK are experiencing significant delays in receiving government-provided security funding, with some waiting 'for months' despite a reported increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes. The British Muslim Trust (BMT) documented 70 attacks on Muslim places of worship over the past year, including vandalism, intimidation, and online abuse. These incidents include arson at a Sussex mosque and the placement of bacon at a Bristol mosque during Ramadan. Akeela Ahmed, CEO of BMT, criticized the slow processing of security funds, suggesting that decentralizing the £40 million security budget to local authorities might improve access. While the government claims it is working to expedite applications, community leaders report that low-level incidents are often ignored by police, leaving individuals fearful and vulnerable.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a failure of government action to protect religious institutions, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the situation. It highlights systemic delays in funding and criticizes the government's response, using emotive language such as 'living in fear,' 'scared for [my