Islamophobia

Abdul El-Sayed became history by being the first Muslim nominated by the Democratic Party to run for U.S. Senate in Michigan. This progress was countered by surging anti-Muslim sentiment, which critics like Nancy Mace labeled a threat. The tension reached local levels in McKinney, Texas, where a city council unanimously approved a site plan for a new mosque despite heated opposition and accusations of hate.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim Senate candidate in Michigan, faces Islamophobic attacks from both the GOP and Democratic establishment, including racist memes and critiques of his comments on Iran. CNN host Jake Tapper’s interview questioned El-Sayed’s response to Iranian political violence, while pro-Israel groups and right-wing figures amplified Islamophobic rhetoric against him.

The Spectator, Britain's oldest political magazine, is accused of anti-Muslim bigotry in a report by the Centre for Media Monitoring, which found 57.4% of its articles between 2018 and 2025 were biased against Muslims. The report criticizes the magazine for framing Muslim political participation as sinister, amplifying far-right rhetoric, and minimizing anti-Muslim hostility. Former associate editor Peter Oborne described the magazine as an 'apologist for bigotry, hatred and racism.'

John Esposito, a scholar of Islam and Georgetown University professor, died at 86 after a career challenging Western stereotypes about Muslims. He authored over 55 books, co-wrote 'Who Speaks for Islam?,' and founded the Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.

A UK school in Birmingham with 450 Muslim students was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat via email. Police searched the school and declared it safe, with the threat also copied to schools regulator Ofsted. An NGO highlighted the lack of public reaction to the incident, urging it to be treated as a hate crime.

A Muslim man was stabbed multiple times in Utah by Peter Michael Larsen, 48, who targeted him due to his religion. The attack occurred at Valley Fair Mall, with the suspect stating he 'intends to kill Muslims' and being arrested for attempted murder. The victim, a Muslim kiosk worker, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Australian universities will be required to adopt legally enforceable definitions of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people starting next year. The standard aims to combat discrimination on campuses and will be discussed during a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion.

Darializa Chevalier, a DSA candidate backed by Mamdani, argues in her paper that TTRT and Customs and Border Protection counterterrorism policies function within a 'permanent state of exception' driven by 'anti-Blackness and Islamophobia.'

Counter-terrorism police in Edinburgh are investigating suspected anti-Muslim attacks that injured five men. A 36-year-old white Scottish man was arrested, and footage shows him with a weapon while allegedly shouting anti-Muslim rhetoric. Scotland's First Minister and anti-Islamophobia groups condemned the incidents as Islamophobic and far-right.

Mitie, a government contractor, is investigating allegations of racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate speech among staff at immigration removal centers. Whistleblowers claim employees made offensive comments and liked abusive social media posts.

An investigation found that over 4.4 million people in the UK live in 'news deserts' with limited local reporting, leading to a surge in misinformation via social media groups. Misinformation was nearly three times more common in areas lacking local journalism, with immigration and Islamophobia being the most prevalent topics on platforms like Facebook and X.

Labour MPs have reported Reform UK to the UK's equalities watchdog for alleged Islamophobia. The complaint centers on Reform UK's policies or actions deemed discriminatory against Muslims.

Female activists at a far-right rally in the UK have attracted criticism for potentially using feminist rhetoric to advance Islamophobic agendas. The incident raises questions about how extremist movements may co-opt social justice language to gain legitimacy.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, known for supporting Muslim residents, is aligning with anti-Muslim GOP Rep. Andy Ogles, who advocates deporting Muslims like Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Blakeman will keynote a gala honoring Ogles, alongside figures like Rudy Giuliani, drawing criticism from Muslim community leaders for promoting Islamophobic rhetoric.