Head of UK government’s anti-Islamophobia partner ‘refused service in shop for being Muslim’

Akeela Ahmed, of British Muslim Trust, says experience is part of a wider rise in anti-Muslim hatred

The chief executive of the government's new official partner in tackling Islamophobia has spoken about being refused service in a shop for being Muslim, amid concerns about a rise in insidious anti-Muslim microaggressions".

The British Muslim Trust (BMT) is launching a government-backed telephone and online reporting service for hate crimes. In July, the trust was selected as a recipient of the government's combating hate against Muslims fund", and in the months since its chief executive, Akeela Ahmed, has been meeting members of Muslim communities, including in Bradford in West Yorkshire, East Sussex, Greater London and Greater Manchester.