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• Efforts to tackle anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia bolstered by improved strategic approach following highest level of anti-Muslim hatred incidents recorded this year听

• Incidents monitored, increased awareness of hate-crime and better support for victims will help create safer streets as part of the government鈥檚 Plan for Change听

• New ideas and proposals will support in tackling religiously motivated hatred against Muslims head on 听

A new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims has today (2 April) been announced, with applications opening on Monday, 7 April. 听听

Last year, police-recorded hate crime statistics found almost two in five of all religious hate crimes targeted Muslims, an increase of 13% in comparison to the year before.听听听

With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. 听听

The establishment of the fund also contributes to the government鈥檚 broader commitment to creating safer streets as part of the Plan for Change, with addressing the rise of anti-Muslim hate playing a crucial part in building safer, stronger and more cohesive communities for all. 听

Minister for Faith, Lord Khan, said:听听

鈥淧utting an end to the shocking rise of targeted attacks against Muslims requires a thorough understanding of the nature and scale of the hatred our Muslim communities face.听听

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking a crucial step forward this week to open this fund, seek new ideas and solutions and tackle this hatred head on. 听

鈥淐ombatting this unacceptable rise of religiously motivated hatred will create a more tolerant and understanding society for everyone, making our streets safer and delivering on our Plan for Change.鈥�

As well as monitoring and reporting incidents, the grant recipient will work to increase awareness of what hate crime is, encourage victims to come forward to report incidents, and facilitate support for victims of hate. They will work alongside a network of local and national partners and stakeholders including the government, and faith and belief groups to deliver on this vital work.听听

The fund is open to applications from a single organisation, or a group of organisations to work together to deliver an accurate record of hate incidents across England.听听听

The competition window will be open for six weeks from the 7 April, closing on 18 May at 23:59.听听听

The full prospectus, including a link for registration to apply, can be found .听听

This follows action taken earlier this year to establish a working group to provide the government with a definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia. Further details on this can be found here: 听

ENDS听

Notes to editors: 听

• Up to 拢650,000 funding will be made available in the 2025/26 financial year, and up to 拢1 million per year financial year for 2026/27 and 2027/28.