Former first minister warns of ‘frightening’ rise in Islamophobia in UK and US

Conspiracy theories and lies told about Muslims today are “hauntingly reminiscent” of the language used about Jewish people in the 1930s, a former Scottish first minister has warned.

Speaking ahead of an address in Washington DC on Thursday, Humza Yousaf said there has been a “frightening rise” in Islamophobia on both sides of the Atlantic in recent months.

He said the UK had seen mosques targeted with arson attacks, Muslim graves desecrated, and up to 150,000 people attend the Unite the Kingdom march in London, which was organised by “proud Islamophobe” Tommy Robinson.

Mr Yousaf also said there had been “open Islamophobia” from senior politicians in the USA, including against the mayor-elect of New York City, Zohran Mamdani.

The former SNP leader said it was “incumbent” on those who abhor Islamophobia to unite against it, warning that the consequences could be “devastating” if hatred goes unchecked.

Ahead of his speech at Georgetown University, Mr Yousaf said: “We are seeing a frightening rise of anti-Muslim hatred in both the US and UK.

“In recent months, in the UK, we have seen arson attacks targeting mosques; Muslim children’s graves desecrated; Muslim women and men targeted with violence; and 150,000 people in London marching behind proud Islamophobe and serial criminal, Tommy Robinson.

“In the US, we have witnessed open Islamophobia from senior politicians against Muslims in public life, including most recently against mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

“Many Muslims in the US tell me they are living in fear, and worry about their rights as citizens being stripped away from them without notice or due cause.

“The accusations, conspiracy theories and downright lies that are told about Muslims today, are hauntingly reminiscent of the language used against Jewish people in Europe in the 1930s.

“We know the far-right forces across the Atlantic are supporting each other and sharing disinformation.

“It is therefore incumbent on those, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who abhor Islamophobia, to stand together, united in defiance of hatred. We must get organised and mobilise across borders to tackle this growing threat.

“I will be working with allies in the fight against anti-Muslim hatred both at home and in the US to create a transatlantic alliance to tackle Islamophobia.

“We cannot be passive as the threat of the far-right continues to rise, if we allow such hatred to go unchecked, the consequences could be devastating.”