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Telegraph
7 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Activist advising Rayner over Islamophobia definition sparks conflict of interest row
A businesswoman who is helping to draw up a definition of Islamophobia for Angela Rayner has become embroiled in a conflict of interest row after being offered a key role in policing it. Akeela Ahmed is one of five people on a working group advising the Deputy Prime Minister on a new definition of Islamophobia. On Monday, Ms Rayner's department announced that the British Muslim Trust (BMT) – which Ms Ahmed is due to lead as chief executive – would receive up to £1m a year to monitor incidents of Islamophobia and 'raise awareness' of hate crime. It follows a decision by Ms Rayner's department to cut funding for a rival Islamophobia reporting service, the Tell Mama organisation, which was founded by Fiyaz Mughal, an outspoken critic of creating a new official definition of Islamophobia. The disclosures follow criticism of the 'secretive' process to draw up a definition and warnings that the proposals to define anti-Muslim hatred could have a 'chilling effect' on free speech. Lord Toby Young, the director of the Free Speech Union, said Ms Ahmed should step down from the working group. 'This is a clear conflict of interest since Akeela Ahmed's new job will be to monitor and tackle Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred,' he said. 'And the more broadly the working group defines it, the more work there will be for the BMT to do and the more money it will be given by the Government. I think she has no choice but to step down from the working group.' He said it was 'odd' that Tell Mama, an organisation which had recorded anti-Muslim hatred for a decade, had been dropped because its founder opposed the Government's attempt to define Islamophobia. 'It suggests that the Government has already decided to impose a dangerously authoritarian definition, zealously monitoring social media posts for traces of 'Islamophobia' and then petitioning Ofcom to take them down, before it has even read any of the consultation responses,' he said. Claire Coutinho, the shadow communities secretary, said: 'I've been saying for weeks that a definition being cooked up behind closed doors by activists with extreme views on how to define Islamophobia is only going to create more division. ' Labour have even refused my requests to open up the working group to let counter-terror experts, free speech advocates and grooming gang victims join the working group. 'Now it looks like one of the members is set to benefit financially from taxpayers' money being handed out by the government she's supposed to be independently advising. It's almost like the process was designed to lose public support.' The selection of the BMT to receive the funding to develop a 'robust' reporting system for anti-Muslim hatred was announced by Lord Khan, the minister for faith. The Government said the money would also enable BMT to 'provide direct support to victims, raise awareness of what constitutes a hate crime, and encourage greater reporting from affected communities'. Ms Rayner's department said the BMT had been established by the Aziz foundation and Randeree Charitable Trust, who had worked closely with Ms Ahmed, MBE, who they 'intend to appoint as chief executive officer'. It said they aimed to draw on 'her decades of experience in working with grassroots organisations and policy-level anti-hate work'. Lord Khan said: 'The rise of anti-Muslim hatred in this country is alarming and deeply concerning. That's why we established this new fund: to ensure we're doing everything we can to deeply understand the situation our Muslim communities are facing, provide them with the support they need and give us the tools needed to tackle this unacceptable hatred. 'I look forward to working with the BMT on our shared ambition to create a safer, more tolerant society for everyone as part of our Plan for Change.' Critics are concerned that the new definition, if too broadly drawn, would threaten free speech, act as a de facto blasphemy law and stifle legitimate criticism of Islam as a religion. The working group is being chaired by Dominic Grieve, a former Tory attorney general. A spokesman for Ms Rayner's department said: 'The BMT was appointed as the recipient of the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund following a rigorous and transparent application process, in which it was the highest scoring applicant. 'Akeela Ahmed brings critical expertise and experience in this area and commitment to improving experiences for Muslim communities. The working group is independent and will provide independent, evidence-based advice to ministers.'
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
New trust to monitor anti-Muslim hatred in UK after funding to Tell Mama paused
The UK government has appointed a new partner to monitor anti-Muslim hatred, months after its relationship with the Islamophobia reporting service Tell Mama broke down. The British Muslim Trust (BMT) – a new organisation – is expected to begin receiving reports and monitoring incidents from early autumn, after being 'selected as the recipient of the government's new Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund', a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said on Monday. The appointment ends a period in which there has been no government-funded group carrying out anti-Muslim hate monitoring in the UK, after the collapse of the Labour administration's relationship with Tell Mama, who received £6m in funding 13 years. In March, it emerged that the organisation's government funding had been paused amid questions over its relationship with previous Conservative governments and how it spent public money and collated its data. In April, a Muslim peer, Shaista Gohir, said it should face an inquiry. Tell Mama denied the claims at the time and described the idea it was secretly being used to tackle Muslim extremism as a 'slur'. It said it regularly reported 'according to the government's due processes' and that no issues had been raised with the group by officials. No inquiry was ever launched. Tell Mama's director said in May that they had rejected a further six months of funding from government, alleging a strained relationship with the Labour faith minister Wajid Khan and 'malicious campaigns' from rivals, although it has continued to operate independently. The row came against a backdrop of surging hate crimes against British Muslims. The government said it had set up the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund to 'respond to the evolving nature of religious intolerance and targeted hate incidents faced by Muslim communities, which are at the highest level on record'. It added that the BMT will use the funding to 'develop a robust reporting system that captures both online and offline incidents of anti-Muslim hatred, including those that may go unreported to the police … provide direct support to victims, raise awareness of what constitutes a hate crime, and encourage greater reporting from affected communities.' The window to bid for the funding ran for six weeks from 7 April. The BMT has been founded by the Aziz Foundation and Randeree Charitable Trust, with activist Akeela Ahmed leading as chief executive. Ahmed is co-founder of the British Muslim Network (BMN) – set up earlier this year to amplify the voices of the UK's Muslims to policymakers and highlight their positive contribution to society. A spokesperson for the BMT said it was separate from the network, which does not receive government funding, and that its focus would be solely on the work it was contracted to for government, while BMN had a 'broader remit'. Ahmed said: 'For too long, anti-Muslim hate has been under-recognised and under-reported. BMT exists to change that – by listening to communities, amplifying their voices, and working with partners across society to ensure that no one is left to face hate alone. 'We are here to stand with victims and help shape a more inclusive, united Britain for all.' Lord Khan said: 'The rise of anti-Muslim hatred is alarming and deeply concerning. I look forward to working with the British Muslim Trust on our shared ambition to create a safer, more tolerant society for everyone.'
News18
17-07-2025
- News18
Caught On Camera: UK Man Releases Rats Outside Sheffield Mosque, Shouts Racist Remarks
Last Updated: Edmund Fowler, 66, released rats outside Sheffield Grand Mosque in a series of hate crimes, causing shock and distress among worshippers. A UK man was seen releasing caged rats outside a mosque in a premeditated series of hate crimes described by magistrates as 'disgusting" and 'highly dehumanising" in CCTV footage played in court. In the video, Edmund Fowler, 66, was seen lifting a cage from the boot of his car and freeing the animals onto the pavement outside Sheffield Grand Mosque on four separate occasions between May and June. The video also captured Edmund Fowler shouting racist insults at worshippers entering the mosque on Grimesthorpe Road. In additional mobile phone footage recorded by Edmund Fowler himself, he is heard saying to the rats, 'Guess where you're going," 'Say bye bye," and 'I'll point you in the right direction." Edmund Fowler pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates' court to four counts of racially aggravated harassment. Despite the shocking footage, he was not sent to prison but received an 18-week prison sentence and was banned from going near any mosque or certain areas of Sheffield for the same duration. The court heard that Edmund Fowler's actions had caused widespread 'upset and shock" as the manager of Sheffield Grand Mosque said in a statement, 'It is evident people using the mosque are Muslim. They are scared of further harassment and are now too scared to come to the mosque." Chair of the bench, Suzanne Irish-Deverill, said she was 'disgusted" by the footage, adding, 'Your crimes were pre-planned on multiple occasions. You also had the audacity to record it yourself. It has had significant impact and caused shock and distress. People are entitled to travel to a place of worship without being racially or religiously harassed- it is a hate crime." The court was told that Edmund Fowler may have suffered a mental breakdown linked to the stress of caring for his wife, who has breast cancer. However, no motive was provided by Edmund Fowler, who acknowledged that his behaviour was 'appalling." Iman Atta, director of the anti-hate crime charity Tell Mama, called the acts 'highly dehumanising", saying, 'This specific targeting of a mosque and the release of rats in itself is highly dehumanizing. It's not just a targeting of an institution- it's the impact it has on the congregation… a congregation feeling that this is intentional harassment that they're going through on an ongoing basis." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 21:07 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
ITV News
16-07-2025
- ITV News
Man who released rats outside Sheffield mosque four times avoids prison
A man who released rats near a mosque in a series of racist hate crimes has avoided being sent to prison. Edmund Fowler, 66, took wild rodents to Sheffield Grand Mosque on four separate occasions between May and June. In CCTV footage captured outside the mosque he could be seen lifting a cage from the boot of his car before freeing the animals onto the pavement. Mobile phone footage filmed by Fowler recorded him talking to the rats, saying "guess where you're going", "say bye bye" and "I'll point you in the right direction". Fowler, of Skelwith Drive, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to four counts of racially aggravated harassment at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. An anti-hate crime charity said the incident was "highly dehumanising". Fowler was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and banned from going near a mosque and to certain parts of the city for 18 months. The CCTV footage played in court showed Fowler parking his Audi near the mosque on Grimesthorpe Road and shouting racist insults at people entering the building. He had caused widespread "upset and shock" within the community, the court heard. In a victim impact statement, the mosque manager said: "It is evident people using the mosque are Muslim. "They are scared of further harassment and are now too scared to come to the mosque." The court heard Fowler accepted his behaviour was "appalling" but gave no motive. He may have had a mental breakdown as a result of the pressures of caring for his wife, who has breast cancer, the court was told. Chair of the bench, Suzanne Irish-Deverill, told Fowler she was "disgusted" by the footage and that his crimes were "pre-planned on multiple occasions". She added: "You also had the audacity to record it yourself. It has had significant impact and caused shock and distress. "People are entitled to travel to a place of worship without being racially or religiously harassed - it is a hate crime." Iman Atta, of the anti-hate crime charity Tell Mama, said it had recorded 20 incidents of Islamic buildings being targeted in the last six months. She said: "This specific targeting of a mosque and the release of rats in itself is highly dehumanizing. "It's highly stressful and distressing for communities. It's not just a targeting of an institution - it's the impact it has on the congregation... a congregation feeling that this is intentional harassment that they're going through on an ongoing basis."
Metro
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Calls to ban Islamic preacher who said sex with female prisoners is 'halal'
Politicians have been urged to bar a preacher from entering the UK after it was revealed he said it was 'halal' to have sex with female slaves. Uthman ibn Farooq, a Muslim preacher based out of California, has dates scheduled in multiple English cities for his 'Waking the Dead – Returning from the Darkness' tour. But he's come under serious scrutiny for his remarks online, including one instance where he said women who wear perfume are 'fornicatresses.' His YouTube channel has 150,000 subscribers, but he's featured in One Message Foundation's videos – they have more than 1,000,000 followers. Farooq sparked outrage when in one video, he was asked why it was lawful to have 'intimacy' with a slave, but adulterous if someone was to have sex with a non-slave. He said: 'Allah made it that those people taken under a war as captives, who were trying to kill you, who you're now going to support and keep in your house and spend money on and treat well, that they are like a wife. 'This is somebody whom you can have those relationships with. So if Allah made it halal [lawful], then it's not sinning, that is not adultery because Allah made it.' UK politicians have cited the remarks as a reason for his visa to be revoked before his upcoming tour dates. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'This man should never set foot on UK soil. His visa must be revoked immediately. Islamists spreading hate and sowing division are not welcome here.' Charity founder Fiyaz Mughal, of Tell Mama, said Farooq's remarks send a 'barbaric message to people'. 'Any sheikh or imam who attempts to publicly justify having sex with people who have no choice should not be allowed in the UK,' he said. 'We have enough problems with backwards views in the UK and we don't need others coming here and legitimising such poison.' Farooq works with One True Message Foundation, based in West London – and is featured prominently in their videos. The organisation previously sparked outrage when they released a video where a member compared women who don't wear hijabs to 'unwrapped sweets'. 'I have two sweets, yeah, one I open the wrapper and I throw it on the floor, yeah, and I tread on it a little bit. The other one I leave in the wrapper, and I throw it on the floor and I tread on it. 'One's in the wrapper, one's not. I pick both of them up and I say take one. Which one are you going to choose? Case closed,' they said. Last year, the previous government announced that dangerous hate preachers would begin to be blocked from the UK as part of a new taskforce to 'clamp down on hate and protect the British public'. More Trending 'Hate preachers and extremists will be automatically referred to the Home Office for immigration action, including the cancellation or refusal of visas, should they attempt to travel to the UK. 'Information will be gathered using our embassy network and using open-source intelligence expertise,' they said. It's unclear if this guidance could be used to bar Farooq. Metro has contacted the Home Office, Farooq and One Message Foundation for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Universal's Epic Universe theme park is finally open – the queue was my favourite part MORE: Man named Michael Myers charged with murder in West Virginia MORE: People are placing bets on which five escaped New Orleans prisoners will be caught last
