18th May 2026

Re: Stunt at Tommy Robinson Rally will embolden harassment of Muslim women

Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) strongly condemns the provocative and disrespectful stunt staged at the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in London on 16^th May 2026, where three women dressed in niqabs and burkas took to the stage before dramatically removing them amid chants of "take it off" from the crowd.

MWNUK CEO, Baroness Shaista Gohir said: “It was deliberate humiliation of Muslim women and a public display of anti-Muslim hostility aimed at dehumanising visibly Muslim women and reducing their religious dress to a source of ridicule and contempt. The actions signal that targeting visibly Muslim women with intimidation and abuse is acceptable.”

She added: “Such stunts have a direct and harmful impact on the safety and well-being of Muslim women. They reinforce harmful stereotypes, embolden harassment, and contribute to a climate of fear where women who choose to wear the hijab, niqab, or burka face increased verbal abuse, physical intimidation, or worse on the streets. There have been two incidents in which Sikh women were raped because the perpetrators believed they were Muslim.”

We call on all public figures and leaders across every sector, particularly the Home Secretary, Government Ministers, and media organisations, to unequivocally condemn both this behaviour and the hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric promoted at the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Freedom of speech must never be exploited as a shield for inciting hatred or targeting minority communities.

Muslim Women’s Network UK stands in solidarity with all Muslim women affected and reaffirm that every woman has the right to dress in accordance with her beliefs without fear of mockery, intimidation or abuse. We urge authorities to monitor the rise in anti-Muslim incidents that often follow such high-profile events.

Anti-Muslim hostility in any setting can be reported to the Muslim Safety Net Helpline (a project by the Muslim Women’s Network UK) on 0303 330 0288 and WhatsApp / Text 07311 876 378 and online https://www.muslimsafetynet.org.uk/report

End of statement.

Media enquiries can be directed to: contact@mwnuk.co.uk or 0121 2369000