UK Anti-Islamophobia Head Reports Being Refused Service Over

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The chief executive of the British Muslim Trust (BMT), the UK government’s new official partner in tackling Islamophobia, has revealed that she was personally refused service in a shop because of her faith. Akeela Ahmed spoke candidly about her experience amid growing concerns over anti-Muslim “microaggressions” and the rising visibility of Islamophobia in public life.

BMT, which recently received government backing through the “combating hate against Muslims fund,” is set to launch a dedicated phone and online reporting service for hate crimes. Since July, Ahmed has been engaging directly with Muslim communities in Bradford, East Sussex, Greater London, and Greater Manchester to understand their experiences and challenges.

Ahmed highlighted the increasingly blurred line between online hate and real-world anti-Muslim incidents. From social media forums to comment sections in newspapers, she said inflammatory rhetoric is increasingly translating into hostility in daily interactions. “There’s a serious gap between what’s said online and what’s experienced offline,” Ahmed noted, stressing that many incidents remain “underreported and underrecognised.”

The BMT intends to conduct research on the impact of online discourse and plans to urge ministers to hold social media platforms accountable if current legislation is insufficient. “This isn’t about special treatment for Muslims. It’s about enforcing existing laws and protecting communities from incitement to violence,” she explained.

During her outreach, Ahmed encountered significant frustration among community members who felt disconnected from central government. Many reported subtle forms of discrimination, such as staff in shops refusing to serve Muslim customers. “Muslims are visible and, unfortunately, an easy target,” she said. “People who wear a hijab, for example, often feel unsafe or unwelcome in spaces where others are served without issue.”

Ahmed shared personal experiences of such exclusion. “I was in a shop where everyone else was served, but I was not. First, you feel helpless, then you start questioning yourself, thinking you must have done something wrong. But there was no one else there who looked like me.”

The generation she spoke to reported feeling disheartened that despite being educated, integrated, and contributing positively to society, their loyalty and belonging were often questioned. “Older generations may have kept their heads down and just lived their lives, but younger Muslims are trying to be active and visible, yet they encounter hostility simply for their identity,” Ahmed explained.

UK ministers are currently considering a new definition of Islamophobia, aiming to differentiate between legitimate criticism of Islam and actions or rhetoric targeting Muslims. A government source confirmed that the focus remains on “protecting people, not religions.”

Ahmed emphasized that BMT’s approach will combine robust data collection with community engagement, aspiring to achieve the same level of trust in Muslim communities that the Community Security Trust has with Jewish communities. “We aim to provide a comprehensive picture of lived experiences, capturing incidents reported to us as well as insights gathered from outreach and roadshows,” she said. The research findings will be presented to the government to inform policy decisions and responses to anti-Muslim hate incidents.

From 30 October, members of the public can report Islamophobic incidents to BMT between 10am and 3pm. Further information is available on the British Muslim Trust’s official website.