A UK-based organization monitoring anti-Muslim hate has recorded its highest-ever number of cases in 2024, attributing the surge to social media platforms and artificial intelligence-generated content.
Tell MAMA reported 6,313 cases of anti-Muslim hate this year, with 5,837 verified incidents, marking a sharp rise from 4,406 cases in 2023. The majority of the incidents occurred online.
The group also noted a worrying increase in physical assaults, which jumped by 73% from 99 in 2023 to 171 in 2024. Reports of offline abusive behavior also reached 2,197 cases this year.
The spike in anti-Muslim hate incidents has been linked to major events, including the ongoing Gaza conflict and the July 2024 murders of three young girls in Southport. False claims that a Muslim immigrant was responsible for the killings circulated widely online, leading to violent riots targeting mosques and immigrant shelters. The actual perpetrator, a UK citizen of Rwandan descent, was sentenced to 13 life terms.
Tell MAMA expressed deep concern over the role of AI in generating anti-Muslim imagery and called for stricter regulation of social media platforms. The group specifically criticized X (formerly Twitter) as a hub for spreading anti-Muslim hate.
Director Iman Atta urged the government to take decisive action and called on the public to stand against hatred and extremism. The organization stressed the need to protect online spaces while ensuring they do not become platforms for inciting hate.
