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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In the United States, advocacy groups and several politicians are coming to the aid of Minneapolis mayoral candidate Omar Fateh who has been subject to a stream of Islamophobic harassment following comments from right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, meanwhile in the United Kingdom, armed police in the the city of Canterbury threatened a pro-Palestinian protester with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and having signs saying “Free Gaza” and “Israel is committing genocide”, and lastly, speaking at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, King Charles said that the world needs to better respect and understand the Muslim faith at a time of “fractured global relations”. Our recommended read of the day is by Muslim Mirror on how a court in Delhi has acquitted 70 Indian Muslims who had been facing charges since 2020 for allegedly sheltering Tablighi Jamaat members during the COVID-19 lockdown. This and more below:
India
Delhi High Court Acquits 70 Indian Muslims in Tablighi Jamaat COVID-19 Case | Recommended Read
In a significant verdict, the Delhi High Court on Thursday acquitted 70 Indian Muslims who had been facing charges since 2020 for allegedly sheltering foreign Tablighi Jamaat members during the COVID-19 lockdown and contributing to the spread of the virus. The court dismissed all cases filed against the accused, stating that the prosecution had failed to produce substantial evidence to support the allegations. The verdict brings an end to a prolonged legal ordeal for the individuals, who had been accused during the early months of the pandemic when a religious gathering of the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area drew nationwide attention and criticism. During the March 2020 nationwide lockdown, these 70 individuals were accused of giving shelter to foreign nationals associated with the Tablighi Jamaat in various parts of the country. Authorities had filed cases against them under multiple sections, including those related to violating pandemic-related restrictions and endangering public health. However, the court noted that the allegations were largely based on assumptions and lacked corroborative evidence. It observed that the accused had merely offered humanitarian help during a time of crisis and could not be held criminally liable for actions that were neither malicious nor unlawful under the circumstances. read the complete article
United Kingdom
Armed police threatened to arrest Kent protester for holding Palestinian flag
Armed police threatened a peaceful protester with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and having signs saying “Free Gaza” and “Israel is committing genocide”, accusing her of supporting a proscribed organisation. Officers told Laura Murton, 42, that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, on Monday evening expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, which was banned under terrorism legislation earlier this month. Murton said neither of her signs mentioned Palestine Action. When asked directly whether she supported any proscribed organisations, she replied: “I do not.” In the encounter, which she filmed, one officer told her: “Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.” read the complete article
Islam and charity: British Muslims celebrate the ‘baked-in’ bond between faith and giving
The Muslim faith and charities are “inextricably intertwined”, says the chief executive of the Charity Commission. David Holdsworth, referring to the £200 million contributed by British Muslims to charitable projects every year added: “Both here and around the world, the bond between faith and charity is reflected in the foundations of your faith. “It has been baked into the framework of the law that has defined charity in the UK for centuries. The advancement of religion is the original charitable purpose. Parliaments and governments over generations have recognised the impact that faith has had has been enormous. That continues to shape our communities and our society.” Mr Holdsworth, speaking to the Muslim Charities Convention, revealed that of the 9,000 requests to register charities last year, and the 5,000 successful applications, 178 mentioned the Islamic faith in their charitable objectives. Referring to the latest Census data, which reveals that more than two-thirds of the UK population consider themselves to belong to a faith, he added: “The link between faith and charities is not just historic, but it is alive and thriving.” read the complete article
King Charles says its 'more imperative than ever' to understand the Muslim world
King Charles has said the world needs to better respect and understand the Muslim faith at a time of fractured global relations. He was speaking at a centre in Oxford which has spent the last four decades working to promote tolerance and understanding of the Islamic world. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, of which the King is patron, was set up in 1985. It was at this organisation where the King, as Prince Charles, made a now-famous speech in 1993 on the West’s misunderstanding of Islam. Today he praised the centre’s “unfailing” work. read the complete article
Coming to a school near you, the Muslim charity training tomorrow’s film-makers
A groundbreaking Muslim-led film project in Cardiff that saw primary school kids shoot their own trailers while learning about media bias could be expanded across the UK — but must first secure the cash. The one-day Young Imaginators programme was run at 12 primary schools in the Welsh capital by the charity UK Muslim Film between September 2024 and February 2025. It had the dual goals of nurturing tomorrow’s film-makers and breaking stereotypes in the media. UK Muslim Film, whose registered office is in Kent, seeks to improve the representation of Muslims on screen. Funding for the Cardiff project came from the Welsh government and the charity Islamic Relief, alongside Watch Africa, Into Film Cymru and Screen Alliance Wales. “The feedback we had from schools has been incredibly positive,” Thomas-Williams said. “Schools see the value of the programme. Kids have hands-on experience with actual industry kit and actual industry people — that’s the kind of opportunity that schools can’t facilitate themselves.” read the complete article
Meet the Muslim female footballer defying stereotypes
Women wearing hijabs aren’t often seen on a football pitch, but a team in Walthamstow is helping to change that – with support from charitable housing association L&Q. As excitement builds around Euro 2025, women’s football is thriving at the grassroots level too, thanks to community-led groups making the game more accessible. One example is a female team from Walthamstow, run by community organisation Salaam Peace and backed by L&Q, whose funding helps sustain inclusive, free-to-access sports programmes for young people. In 2020, Salaam Peace launched a dedicated girls’ football programme, which now includes regular sessions, volunteering pathways and even paid roles. A centre-midfielder, Mumtaz, 15, recalls one match that stands out: “It was our first game back after the summer holidays and we hadn’t trained much. I remember we won by three goals.” By stepping into a space where few have gone before, Mumtaz and her teammates are opening doors for the next generation of young players. read the complete article
United States
Minneapolis politicians rally to defend Omar Fatah after Islamophobic attack by Charlie Kirk
Politicians and local advocacy groups are coming to the defense of Minnesota State Senator and Minneapolis mayoral candidate Omar Fateh, who has been subjected to a series of Islamophobic and racist abuse on social media following comments from right-wing activists including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. On Monday, Kirk shared a Twitter post about Fateh with the caption: "Muslims are commanded to take over the government in the land they live. The attempted Islamic takeover of America is made possible thanks to mass migration." He later shared another video of Fateh, writing: "Mass migration from the third world must be stopped. We are committing suicide." Fateh, the first Somali American and Muslim to serve in the Minnesota Senate and who was born in Washington D.C. to Somali immigrant parents, responded to Kirk’s initial post, writing in part: "Minneapolis is a beautifully diverse city that stands firm in our progressive values. The hate I’ve seen today – and most days – is not who we will ever be." A cascade of online attacks against Fateh has followed since Kirk’s initial post to his 5.1 million followers. Many compare Fateh to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is also Muslim and is campaigning on similar progressive ideals. read the complete article