UK government pledges 117 million pounds for Muslims’ security

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. The British government on Monday pledged 117 million pounds ($150 million) towards protecting Muslim communities amid a rise in Islamophobia as it promises more action to tackle extremism, Reuters reports.

"Anti-Muslim hatred has absolutely no place in our society. We will not let events in the Middle East be used as an excuse to justify abuse against British Muslims," Home Secretary James Cleverly said.

Tell Mama, a group which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said last month there had been a 335% increase in cases since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

The new funding, announced just over a week after extra cash was promised to enhance security for Jewish groups amid soaring anti-Semitism, will be used to protect mosques, Muslim faith schools and other community centres, the government said.