UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer marked Ramadan by attending an Iftar event in Parliament, acknowledging it as a “difficult time for Muslims in the UK” amid rising hate crimes and ongoing global conflicts.
The event, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, took place on Tuesday evening as Muslims observe Ramadan.
In his speech, Starmer praised British Muslims for their contributions to society and reflected on the “pain of the conflict in Gaza,” recognizing how global crises impact communities at home.
“I know this has been a very difficult time for Muslims here in the UK with the pain of the conflict,” he said.
The prime minister also expressed horror over the surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes, which reached record levels in 2024, according to Home Office data. He blamed the rise in hate incidents on “far-right rhetoric and disinformation,” particularly following riots last summer in Southport after the murder of three young girls.
“It is shocking — absolutely shocking — that 2024 was the worst year for anti-Muslim hate crime since the Home Office began collecting data,” Starmer said.
He emphasized that behind the statistics were “real people impacted every day by this hatred” — families and children living in fear of harassment.
Starmer vowed to confront rising Islamophobia and build a more inclusive society, reaffirming his commitment to standing with British Muslims.
