ISLAMABAD: A British member of parliament has urged political leaders and the media to take greater responsibility in challenging rising Islamophobia across the UK.

In a message shared to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month, Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, warned that Muslim communities continue to face threats, discrimination, and attacks on places of worship, violence she says is being fueled by “Islamophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric from far-right politicians and large sections of the media.”

“We stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbors,” Whittome wrote. “All of us, but especially those in power, have a responsibility to challenge the normalization of such hatred.”

Her comments come amid ongoing concerns raised by community groups and rights organizations about the escalation of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide. Several mosques have reported targeted harassment this year, while advocacy groups have called for stronger government action and clearer commitments to countering hate speech.

Whittome, who also serves on the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee and is a member of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, has been an outspoken critic of discriminatory rhetoric in public life. She emphasized that Islamophobia Awareness Month should serve as a reminder for institutions to strengthen protections for minority communities and promote social cohesion.

Islamophobia Awareness Month, held each November, includes educational campaigns, community events, and initiatives aimed at challenging stereotypes and addressing the impact of anti-Muslim prejudice across the UK.

Nadia Whittome

British parliamentarian calls for action against rising Islamophobia