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SearchToday in Islamophobia: In France, at least nine pigs’ heads were found outside several mosques in the Paris region, the city’s police chief said, prompting alarm over rising anti-Muslim hatred, meanwhile in the United States, Republican state lawmaker Rep. John Gillette called Muslims “f***ing savages” in an interview on Monday, resolutely standing by Islamophobic comments he’s made on social media this month that included calling members of the faith “terrorists”, and lastly in the UK, the far-right in recent weeks has filled the streets with British flags and painted St. George’s Cross on buildings and roadways in what analysts are calling a “not so subtle anti-immigrant campaign” disguised as nationalistic pride. Our recommended read of the day is by Andy Verity, Tom Beal & Will Dahlgreen for BBC News on their investigation revealing that UG Solutions, a private contractor providing security at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites—where hundreds of Palestinian civilians seeking food have been killed—has hired at least ten anti-Muslim US biker gang members to oversee security. This and more below:
International
Anti-Islamic US biker gang members run security at deadly Gaza aid sites | Recommended Read
The firm guarding sites where aid is distributed in Gaza has been using members of a US biker gang with a history of hostility to Islam to run its armed security, a BBC investigation has found. BBC News has confirmed the identities of 10 members of the Infidels Motorcycle Club working in Gaza for UG Solutions - a private contractor providing security at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, where hundreds of civilians seeking food have been killed in scenes of chaos and gunfire. We can reveal that seven members of the gang are in senior positions overseeing sites at the controversial aid operation backed by Israel and US President Donald Trump. Infidels MC was set up by US military veterans of the Iraq war in 2006 and members see themselves as modern Crusaders, using the Crusader cross as their symbol - a reference to the medieval Christians who fought Muslims for control of Jerusalem. The gang is currently hosting anti-Muslim hate speech on its Facebook page and has previously held a pig roast "in defiance of" the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. read the complete article
No, this video does not show Muslims threatening to burn down Notre-Dame Cathedral
In recent days, a string of English-speaking accounts on X have been sharing a clip they allege shows several Muslims threatening to burn down churches in France. But a closer examination shows that the video was staged, as FRANCE 24's Charlotte Hughes explains. read the complete article
United States
Mo Amer’s Mo on Netflix is more than just a great comedy series
The Netflix series “Mo,” starring Arab American comedian Mo Amer, is not only one of the best comedy series streaming on cable, but it is a deep-dive into the tragic reality of what Palestinians face not just in America, but under Israeli occupation. I have watched the series five times, more than the number of times I have watched another streaming comedy favorite, Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The two seasons of “Mo” are phenomenal, broadcast in 2022 and again in 2025 almost two years after it was approved by Netflix in January 2023. With eight episodes each season, the series has you not only laughing along with Mo’s unusual Arab American and Muslim life, but it also has you understanding what Arabs and Muslims go through in a way that is acceptable to most Americans who don’t want to be beat over their heads being confronted by the racism that exists. read the complete article
Arizona Diversity Fundamental Rights Law & Government Arizona GOP lawmaker calls Muslims ‘f***ing savages’ and ‘terrorists’ from ‘sh*t hole’ countries
A Republican state lawmaker called Muslims “f***ing savages” in an interview on Monday, resolutely standing by Islamophobic comments he’d made on social media this month that included calling members of the faith “terrorists.” Since the beginning of September, Rep. John Gillette has made a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, aimed at the Muslim faith. Many have been laced with profanity, and the Kingman Republican has insisted that Muslim immigrants are “savages” because they are pushing “Sharia law” onto Americans. In several posts, Gillette blamed Democrats for supporting Muslims in America and said that Islamophobia isn’t real. “Islamophobia is a construct of the Marxist left I reject,” he wrote in a Sept. 2 post. “I have years of direct experience with these savages. Thier (sic) own religion preached convert or die. F**K EM. If they want here to become the sh*t hole they left… they can go home. The democrats support them. DEMOCRATS HATE AMERICA.” On Monday, Gillette also used social media to take aim at Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, for having met with Islamic leaders in the past, posting a screenshot of an Instagram post from the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, celebrating that its executive director had met with Hobbs in January 2023. read the complete article
United Kingdom
The far right rails against immigrants. What they really hate is Muslims.
In recent weeks, the U.K.’s far right has filled the streets with British flags and painted roundabouts with St. George’s Cross in a supposed show of national pride. To anyone paying attention, it’s a not-so-subtle anti-immigrant campaign driven by far-right extremists who despise Muslims. Hostility toward asylum seekers and refugees in the U.K. has long been simmering. Some of it is fueled by fears over scarce resources that may go to “foreigners” over British nationals, some by political agendas, but much of it is driven by racism and Islamophobia. And the truth is, it’s not immigrants in general the far right loathes — it’s Muslims immigrants in particular. This misplaced anger serves as a distraction from the real issues the country is facing and lets those responsible get away with it, all while conveniently using Muslims and immigrants as scapegoats. The U.K. has invaded, bombed, helped destabilize or facilitated atrocities in numerous Muslim countries where these refugees flee from. It has been involved in the wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Gaza. Rather than opposing Muslim immigrants, the far right would do better to oppose the unjust wars costing billions in taxpayer money, rather than the refugees it brings to our shores. The issue isn’t immigration, or even the wrong kind. It’s the failed policies of successive governments. We have deteriorating living standards, while the perception of immigrants is that they receive everything for free and live lavishly, while the rest suffer and fend for themselves. This thinking is deeply misplaced. read the complete article
What Spence's England milestone means for Muslims
When Djed Spence came on as a substitute for England during Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Serbia, he was not just reaping the rewards of years of hard work and resilience in the face of setbacks - he was also making history. The 25-year-old Tottenham Hotspur full-back became the first Muslim to play for the senior England men's football team, a milestone which has drawn attention nationwide and beyond. "I was surprised because I didn't know I was the first, so it's a blessing," he said after England's 5-0 win. "It's good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing." For Spence, who regularly posts religious captions on his social media accounts, his faith plays an important role in his life and approach to the game. "It's a moment of celebration for British Muslims," says Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, an organisation which supports more than 400 Muslim athletes through faith advice and professional counselling. "Djed has big responsibility on his shoulders - not only is he playing for England, he is playing for Muslims all around the world because he is now seen as a role model breaking a barrier." read the complete article
Why Are Muslim Women Leaving the Media Industry?
Being a journalist is like no other job. There’s rarely such a thing as a 9-to-5 with the never-ending news cycle, print media has been on the decline for many years, and low wages are unfortunately normalised. Many journalists are aware of this when entering the industry, but are still enticed by the fast-paced nature, the ability to shape the news agenda and the thrill of having no two days being the same. Despite this, a powerful report by media watchdog Centre for Media Monitoring revealed that 60 per cent of Muslim women working in the media have considered leaving the industry altogether. Largely, this isn’t down to pay or career progression – it exposes a troubling reality of systemic discrimination, unfair representation, mental health impacts and toxic workplace culture in British media. The study reveals that 92 per cent of Muslim women working in the media feel negative views about Islam and Muslims are embedded within organisations, and 72 per cent have experienced direct discrimination linked to their identity. These feelings of dissatisfaction have also been exacerbated following mainstream coverage about Palestine, as 85 per cent have questioned their future in the industry following reporting around October 7th and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The CfMM report was authored by Samia Rahman, a scholar, writer and journalist who focuses on Muslim women and patriarchy. Her latest research with CfMM, titled ‘Muslim Women in the Media: Breaking Barriers, Bearing the Burden,’ is also set to expose a harsh reality. “There has been a great deal of discussion around inclusivity and the importance of encouraging Muslim women and other marginalised or under-represented communities to enter the media,” she tells me. “But the question remains to what extent increased representation leads to an increased ability to influence the ways in which news about these communities is framed, and is more authentic.” read the complete article
France
At least nine pigs’ heads found outside mosques in Paris region
At least nine pigs’ heads were found outside several mosques in the Paris region on Tuesday, the city’s police chief said, prompting alarm over rising anti-Muslim hatred. “Pigs’ heads have been left in front of certain mosques ... Four in Paris and five in the inner suburbs,” Laurent Nuñez told a press conference, adding that officers were not “ruling out the possibility of finding more”. Police have opened an investigation into incitement to hatred aggravated by racial or religious discrimination, Nuñez said, calling the acts “despicable”. The consumption of pork is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. Several of the heads had the surname of President Emmanuel Macron scrawled on them in blue ink, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. Anti-Muslim incidents in France rose by 75% between January and May 2025 compared with a year earlier, with attacks on individuals tripling, the interior ministry said in July. The incidents around Paris drew swift condemnation from political and community leaders. Macron met representatives of the Muslim community in the capital to express his support, his office said. read the complete article