Faith and community leaders have issued a stark warning about the growing tide of hatred and division across the UK, following a spate of violent incidents targeting places of worship and racially motivated attacks in recent weeks.
The call for calm and unity comes after a man was arrested outside Bradford College this week on suspicion of racially aggravated offences, and two high-profile incidents that have shaken communities nationwide, the attack on a Manchester synagogue and an arson attack at a mosque in Sussex.
Police have confirmed they are treating both the Manchester and Sussex incidents as hate crimes, with investigations ongoing. Community representatives say these attacks have deepened fears among already vulnerable groups and reinforced calls for political leaders to take urgent action to tackle rising extremism and hate speech.
“Communities are feeling vulnerable and scared”
In a strongly worded statement, Humma Nizami, CEO of REN (Race Equality Network), said the recent wave of attacks had left minority communities “feeling vulnerable, scared and living in constant fear and distress.”
She said: “The rise of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and hatred in recent times has resulted in communities feeling vulnerable, scared and living in constant fear and distress.
Image: LinkedIn/Humma Nizami
We deserve to live in a society built on dignity, respect and justice for all. The intensification of racism and hatred towards these communities in the UK has been driven by the racist rhetoric of our politicians, which is then amplified in the media, causing fear and anxiety.
This is the time for our politicians to step up, take responsibility and lead with compassion in order to defeat these narratives of division from within our society.”
Humma added that REN remains committed to working with partners across Bradford and beyond to ensure community safety and cohesion.
Her comments echo growing concern among interfaith organisations, who say hate speech and online extremism have escalated since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, often spilling over into local communities.
Following last weekend’s violent attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, the Council of Bradford Gurdwaras issued a statement of solidarity with the Jewish community, condemning the act as “an affront to humanity”.
The statement read: “We, members of the Sikh community, are horrified and deeply saddened by the violent attack that took place outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.
Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community during this time of pain and fear.
Image: Google Maps
Such acts of violence, especially those targeting places of worship, are an affront to humanity and a betrayal of the values that bind us together across faiths, including those with no faith: compassion, dignity, and respect. No one should ever feel unsafe while gathering in prayer or community.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. An attack on one faith is an attack on all faiths.”
The statement, signed by Mr Pavinder Singh, President of the Council of Bradford Gurdwaras, and Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj OBE DL, Vice-President, urged all communities to unite in rejecting hatred and discrimination “in all its forms.”
In Bradford, police were called to Great Horton Road on Thursday morning after reports of a man armed with a weapon near Bradford College. The man, in his 30s, was detained by college security and later arrested on suspicion of assaulting members of the public and emergency workers, racially aggravated public order offences, and causing damage to a police vehicle.
Detective Inspector Ailis Coates said: “We know that this incident will understandably cause some concern in the community. I would like to reassure people that the suspect was quickly detained by security staff and arrested by the police.
We understand that this incident has been witnessed by a large number of people and that some may have filmed bits of it. We would ask them to please share this footage with the police as it could greatly assist us in our ongoing investigation.”
She confirmed that neighbourhood policing teams are maintaining a visible presence in the area to reassure students and residents.
According to the Home Office, reports of hate crimes targeting religion and race have risen sharply in the past year, with community organisations warning that many incidents go unreported due to fear or mistrust in authorities.
Tell MAMA, which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, recently recorded one of its highest ever monthly spikes in Islamophobic abuse, while the Community Security Trust (CST) reported a surge in anti-Semitic attacks across the UK.
Experts say inflammatory political language and online misinformation continue to fuel tensions.
A local community organiser in Bradford, who asked not to be named, said:
“People are anxious. What’s happening nationally is spilling into our cities. Leaders need to be careful with their words and proactive in calming communities rather than dividing them.”
Across the country, interfaith groups and community leaders are urging a coordinated response to restore trust and ensure safety.
As Humma Nizami emphasised: “This is the time for leadership built on compassion, not division. Communities are tired of fear, they want solidarity, safety and respect.”
For many, these recent incidents have served as a painful reminder of the fragility of social harmony, but also of the resilience that exists when communities stand together.
From synagogues to mosques to city streets, the message remains the same: an attack on one community is an attack on all.
