A damning new report has laid bare the scale of fear and abuse experienced by Muslim women across the United Kingdom's public transport network. The study reveals that a staggering proportion feel unsafe during their daily commutes, with many subjected to direct racist and Islamophobic attacks.
Alarming Statistics Highlight a Crisis of Safety
The survey, conducted by the Muslim Census, presents a deeply concerning picture. It found that 45 per cent of Muslim women feel unsafe while using public transport. This figure stands in stark contrast to the national average, where just 8 per cent of women report similar feelings of insecurity. The data suggests that visible markers of faith make Muslim women disproportionately vulnerable.
Beyond the pervasive fear, the report details widespread abuse. Over one in three Muslim women (more than 33%) have experienced Islamophobic or racist abuse on trains, buses, and the Tube. These incidents are not limited to verbal harassment; they include physical assault and the violent act of having headscarves pulled. Nearly two-thirds of the women surveyed believe they are specifically targeted because of visible signs of their religious identity.
Far-Right Impact and a Culture of Under-Reporting
The climate of fear intensifies dramatically around far-right demonstrations. The report indicates that 93.8 per cent of Muslims feel less safe when such events are planned or take place. This anxiety leads to tangible changes in behaviour, with 84.9 per cent altering their travel plans to avoid potential danger during these periods.
Perhaps most troubling is the systemic under-reporting of these hate crimes. According to the findings, a mere 12.5 per cent of incidents are reported to authorities. This low figure is compounded by a widespread belief within the Muslim community that their suffering is not taken seriously. A significant 83.1 per cent of respondents believe Islamophobia is treated less seriously than other forms of hate crime by the institutions meant to protect them.
Personal Testimonies and Political Response
The statistics are given a human face by powerful personal accounts, such as that of a woman who described being targeted on the London Underground the first time she wore a face veil. Her experience of a man attempting to hit her underscores the very real physical threats faced.
The report's publication follows recent political controversy. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly addressed the issue, condemning what he termed the 'poison of Islamophobia' in response to comments made by MP Lee Anderson. The findings add urgent, data-driven weight to calls for stronger action and better protection for Muslim communities across the UK's transport systems.
