London — Hina Bokhari, a Liberal Democrat and London Assembly Member, has called for mandatory Islamophobia training across all Greater London Authority (GLA) institutions in light of increasing anti-Muslim hate incidents across the city and country.
In a letter addressed to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Bokhari highlighted the absence of any scheduled Islamophobia training for GLA staff, despite the alarming surge in anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant violence in the capital since last summer. She urged immediate action to equip police officers and frontline workers with the necessary understanding to identify and address Islamophobic abuse.
“If those tasked with protecting us cannot recognise Islamophobia, they cannot protect those under threat or maintain the trust of our communities,” she stated.
Bokhari, a veteran educator and the first ethnic minority woman to lead a political group on the London Assembly, warned of a climate of fear faced by Muslims in Britain. “Whether walking down the street, engaging online, or simply existing as Muslims, we find ourselves bracing for abuse, harassment, or worse. This fear is not paranoia—it is rooted in an ugly reality,” she wrote.
The letter also criticized ongoing mob violence that targets asylum seekers, Muslims, and others perceived as outsiders, describing Britain as a “tinderbox” for vulnerable communities.
Speaking to BBC, Bokhari noted the GLA’s previous provision of antisemitism training, which she had participated in, but pointed out the lack of similar sessions addressing Islamophobia. “I’m really pleased I did antisemitism training. We need that for Muslims, too,” she said.
While acknowledging Mayor Khan’s role as Britain’s most prominent Muslim in public office and the Islamophobic abuse he endures, Bokhari expressed disappointment over the administration’s inaction. She emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The threat we face as Muslim Londoners is not abstract or hypothetical—it is immediate, real, and growing.”
Recent reports have revealed a sharp rise in Islamophobic attacks targeting Mayor Khan, with most online hate originating from the UK, India, and the US. Additionally, Tell MAMA, the UK’s leading anti-Muslim hate crime monitoring service, was forced to shut down due to the sudden withdrawal of government funding.
The call for Islamophobia training comes amid growing concerns over institutional neglect and rising intolerance in Britain’s political and public spheres.
