UK founder of Muslims Against Antisemitism challenges coreligionists to fight rising hate

Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of Muslims Against Antisemitism, has publicly urged fellow British Muslims to take a stronger stance against the growing tide of antisemitism in the United Kingdom. Speaking at a major protest in central London earlier this year, Mughal emphasized the need for Muslim community leaders to visibly and unequivocally support Jewish communities during times of crisis. His remarks come amid a surge in antisemitic incidents, including multiple attacks on synagogues and community centers in recent months. Mughal attended the protest alongside politicians and community leaders, making him one of the few prominent British Muslims present. He expressed disappointment with the lack of public solidarity shown by some members of his community toward Jewish groups facing increasing hostility. According to Mughal, while some Muslim individuals offer private expressions of sympathy, they often refrain from publicly aligning themselves with Jewish communities, which he views as inconsistent with shared values. Mughal has been actively engaged in combating extremism and hate crimes for years. As a former government adviser and local authority council member, he has worked extensively in the community and charitable sectors. He co-founded Tell MAMA, an organization dedicated to recording and reporting anti-Muslim hate crimes and providing support to victims. Additionally, he leads Muslims Against Antisemitism, which focuses on educating British Muslim communities about antisemitism and the Holocaust. The founder criticized what he described as the “weasel-wording” of certain Muslim community leaders. He argued that merely issuing rote condemnations of antisemitism or denying its connection to radical anti-Israel activism is insufficient. Mughal asserted that the wholesale denial of the State of Israel constitutes antisemitic rhetoric and must be addressed, even within parts of the Muslim community. Despite his firm stance on antisemitism, Mughal clarified that he supports the establishment of a Palestinian state and opposes some of the policies and rhetoric of the current Israeli government. He attributed the reluctance of other Muslim leaders to publicly stand with British Jews to an unwillingness to “ruffle feathers” and a desire to maintain their community support bases and social media presence. Mughal highlighted a deeper issue: the need for a reinterpretation of Islamic scriptures. Following the Hamas-led invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, he noted that many mosques have featured preachers using selective interpretations of the Hadith and other religious texts to justify or support Hamas' actions or attacks on Jews. This, according to Mughal, has contributed to the spread of harmful narratives within some segments of the Muslim community. The rise in antisemitic incidents has prompted increased scrutiny of how different communities respond to such threats. Mughal's call for greater public solidarity from Muslim leaders comes at a time when tensions between different groups are heightened. His advocacy underscores the complex dynamics at play in addressing hate and promoting interfaith understanding. As the situation continues to evolve, Mughal remains committed to fostering dialogue and challenging extremist ideologies through education and community engagement. His efforts reflect a broader push within some Muslim circles to address internal contradictions and promote a more inclusive approach to interfaith relations.