UK government appoints new body to monitor Islamophobia, replacing Tell Mama
British Muslim Trust to lead national reporting and response efforts amid rising anti-Muslim hate crimes in the country
LONDON (MNTV) – The U.K. government has appointed the newly established British Muslim Trust (BMT) to take over the monitoring of Islamophobic and anti-Muslim hate incidents across England, effectively replacing Tell Mama, the independent body that had led this work since 2012.
The BMT will be funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and is tasked with collecting data, supporting affected communities, and publishing regular public reports on Islamophobic incidents. It will begin accepting reports in early autumn.
The decision follows months of uncertainty surrounding Tell Mama’s future.
In March, reports suggested that government funding had been cut for the group, although officials denied this. Faith minister Wajid Khan told Parliament that £1 million was still available—provided the organisation signed a new grant agreement.
But in April, Tell Mama’s director Iman Atta declined a six-month extension, citing a deteriorating relationship with the department. The government then opened applications for a new Islamophobia monitoring body.
Founded by the Randeree Charitable Trust and the Aziz Foundation, the BMT says it aims to address not only individual hate crimes but also the broader structural inequalities affecting British Muslims.
“Our mission is to help build a society where British Muslims are seen and treated as equal citizens, free from racism, prejudice, and fear,” said Shabir Randeree, chair of the BMT.
Akeela Ahmed, the new chief executive of BMT, emphasized a community-driven approach.
“We will work by listening to communities, amplifying their voices, and partnering across society so that no one is left to face hate alone,” she said to Hyphen, a local magazine that covers Muslim affairs.
“We are here to stand with victims and help shape a more inclusive, united Britain for all.”
Ahmed also co-chairs the British Muslim Network and sits on the government’s working group to define “Islamophobia” and “anti-Muslim hatred.”
The announcement has been broadly welcomed. Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, called the service “long overdue” and underscored the importance of capturing accurate data.
“Many Muslim victims do not report the abuse and hostility they face. But suffering in silence is not the answer,” he said.
Despite the nature of its mandate, the term “Islamophobia” does not appear in the official government announcement.
Ministers have previously rejected the 2019 working definition proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, preferring the term “anti-Muslim hatred”—a framing supported by right-wing think tank Policy Exchange.
The British Muslim Trust will begin accepting public reports later this year.
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