Britain is experiencing a “brain drain” of talented middle-class Muslims due to rising Islamophobia, according to Harris Bokhari, a key adviser to the King on race relations. In a report by The Times on Friday, Bokhari highlighted growing concerns within the Muslim community following recent riots and attacks on mosques, leading many to feel unsafe and unwelcome in the country.

 The charity Tell Mama, which tracks anti-Muslim hate, reported 500 incidents, including death threats and vandalism targeting mosques and Islamic centres. Iman Atta, Tell Mama’s director, warned that the idea of leaving Britain is no longer a “fringe thought” among Muslims.
Fiyaz Mughal, co-founder of Tell Mama, is among those leaving Britain. Mughal, who has fought against both Islamist extremism and far-right hate, said he feels “pervasive” fear within Muslim communities and plans to move to Europe.
Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s former first minister, and Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, have also voiced concerns. Earlier this month Yousaf questioned his family’s future in the UK. Reflecting on the race riots, he said “It’s felt utterly horrendous… I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland, the United Kingdom, or indeed in Europe and the West.”
Bokhari also expressed worry about young people being drawn into far-right ideologies and stressed the need for initiatives like the National Citizen Service to promote social cohesion and counteract hate.