New helpline gives victims of anti-Muslim hate a safe way to report incidents and get support.

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

A new national helpline has been launched to support people affected by anti-Muslim hate. The British Muslim Trust Helpline provides a free and confidential service where victims can report incidents and receive help from trained Muslim staff.

The helpline can be reached by phone on 0808 172 3524 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or at any time via an online form, email, text message, WhatsApp, or live chat. Messages received outside phone hours will be followed up the next day.

The initiative is funded by the government’s Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund and aims to give victims the confidence to speak out, raise awareness of hate crimes, and record incidents both online and in person.

Councillor Paul Donovan, Cabinet Member for Democracy, Workforce and Communities, said:

“No one should ever feel targeted or unsafe because of their faith, race or ethnicity. The launch of this national helpline is a crucial step in helping victims of anti-Muslim hate come forward, get support, and know they are not alone. As a Council we stand firmly against all forms of hate and discrimination and will continue to promote equality, inclusion, and respect across all our staff, commissioned services and communities.”

Source: Cheshire West and Chester