Taj Ali

'Abusing Muslims is not going to fix this country': rising hate in the UK Hate crimes are rising around the UK, after a summer of flags going up on lamp-posts across the country and racist riots in 2024. Taj Ali is a Muslim journalist who has been collating evidence of these attacks. Even in big diverse areas there is a sense of fear, but what is life like for smaller ethnic minority communities in smaller towns? On his journey with video producers Christopher Cherry and Maeve Shearlaw he finds a sense of anger about the loss of community but people everywhere determined to roll up their sleeves up and make things better

Watch journalist Taj Ali on his journey as he finds a sense of anger about the loss of community and how people everywhere are determined to make things better.

Back on the Map, featured in this video, is part of this year's Guardian charity appeal.

Donate at theguardian.com/charityappeal25bsk

This note is from my English teacher, Miss Fielden. She taught me for 5 years, believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passions.

More than a decade on, I’ve written my first book.

The teacher who gave me the confidence to be a writer - Hyphen Our education system is judged by exam results and inspections, but its greatest achievement is inspiring children and transforming lives

Growing up, I did not know any authors or journalists. As is the case for many working-class kids, we had no family connections and no obvious pathways into those worlds, dominated by the privileged.

That is why good teachers matter so much. My column.

hyphenonline.com/2026/01/29/t...

This note is from my English teacher, Miss Fielden. She taught me for 5 years, believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passions.

More than a decade on, I’ve written my first book.

In the latest episode of Nest of Fearties, Dr Gavin Brewis (@gavinbrewis.bsky.social) and Taj Ali (@tajali1.bsky.social) discuss the importance of class politics as support for Reform UK soars across Britain.

🎧 Listen to our first podcast of the new year now: buff.ly/bKpsyaG

Starlink reportedly made free in Iran - but protesters are taking huge risks by using it The satellite technology has become a vital communications lifeline after the government shut down the internet last week.

Starlink’s capabilities in Iran may have just increased after sources tell us that the satellite technology has been made free in the country.

Our piece on the dangers Iranians face using it - including of being accused of espionage and imprisonment - for BBC News.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

UN spokesperson tells me that the internet blackout in Iran undermines human rights.

Our water companies aren’t working — let's change that in 2026 - Hyphen Crumbling infrastructure and massive debts are costing us all dearly. It’s time the UK government made a new year’s resolution to fix it

Crumbling infrastructure and massive debts are costing us all dearly. It’s time the government made a new year’s resolution to fix it.

A brilliant opinion piece by @tajali1.bsky.social in @hyphenonline.com featuring our recent book 'Murky water', which is out now:
hyphenonline.com/2025/12/23/u...

Our water companies aren’t working — let's change that in 2026 - Hyphen Crumbling infrastructure and massive debts are costing us all dearly. It’s time the UK government made a new year’s resolution to fix it

What should the government’s new year’s resolution be?

Fix the water industry, argues @tajali1.bsky.social ⬇️
hyphenonline.com/2025/12/23/u...

'Abusing Muslims is not going to fix this country': rising hate in the UK Hate crimes are rising around the UK, after a summer of flags going up on lamp-posts across the country and racist riots in 2024. Taj Ali is a Muslim journalist who has been collating evidence of thes...

Check out this film about rising hate in disadvantaged communities.

Part of the Guardian charity appeal, it ends with Locality member Back on the Map who are improving their area and creating hope.

Please share & donate

www.theguardian.com/society/vide...

@tajali1.bsky.social @theguardian.com

The demonisation of asylum seekers has to stop.

@tajali1.bsky.social: "Some of the rhetoric around asylum seekers is dangerous."

"And what we're seeing now is racist violence, not just directed at asylum seekers, but ethnic minority communities across the country."

Rightwing attacks on multiculturalism are a cynical smokescreen Minority communities are not to blame for the UK’s problems — the likes of Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage are

In the 1964 general election, a campaign of racist sloganeering was unleashed on Birmingham’s voters. Six decades later, attacks on multiculturalism are still being directed at the city by a senior Tory figure, writes @tajali1.bsky.social.

hyphenonline.com/2025/10/29/m...

I don't use this site much but you catch up on my columns on the Hyphen website or follow my work on Instagram if you're avoiding Twitter:

www.instagram.com/taj.ali1/

Rightwing attacks on multiculturalism are a cynical smokescreen Minority communities are not to blame for the UK’s problems — the likes of Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage are

Whether it’s in Handsworth, Hartlepool or Hull, working-class communities across Britain face multiple challenges. It makes no sense to describe one segment of that broad demographic as “left behind” & another as the root cause of those problems. My column.

hyphenonline.com/2025/10/29/m...

The hidden toll of Britain’s flag fever Anti-immigrant sentiment, driven by figures on the far right, is bleeding into racism across Britain – and politicians’ inaction is allowing it to spread, writes Taj Ali.

‘The most disappointing thing,’ says Maryam, ‘has been the silence and the absence of any clear stance from the government which has fed down from a national to a local level.’

Read more from @tajali1.bsky.social

newint.org/nationalism/...

Far-right attacks can’t be defeated by governments - Hyphen The Peacehaven Mosque arson attack was the latest in an unending stream of attacks on Muslims. Politicians must do better — but so must we

As racist attacks on the Muslim community rise in the UK, Taj Ali believes that grassroots organising can turn the tide of hate.
https://hyphenonline.com/2025/10/07/governments-dont-defeat-racism-ordinary-people-do/

Tommy Robinson: 'I challenge any journalist to come to Luton and find Muslims with non Muslims.'

I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.

Luton v Tommy Robinson: the myth of a town divided – video Summer 2025 was marked by a surge in anti-immigrant protests, attacks on mosques and racist graffiti across the UK. The unrest, stoked by far-right agitators such as Tommy Robinson, sought to pit comm...

Top work by @tajali1.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/uk-news/vide...

Excellent journalism.

Shows the resilience of communities.

The brilliance of humanity.

And the real thing driving people to the far right - rising wealth inequality and misinformation.

This is the type of journalism our country needs.

It’s good this. As it always is from @tajali1.bsky.social 🧡

I like what you're doing there Taj. I've only seen your trailer but look forward to watching the whole series: www.theguardian.com/news/series/... + www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Keep up the good work. :-)

YouTube video by The Guardian Luton vs Tommy Robinson: the myth of a UK town divided

Watch the full film here:

youtu.be/eArGP8CdIXA?...

Tommy Robinson: 'I challenge any journalist to come to Luton and find Muslims with non Muslims.'

I'm a journalist from Luton and this man is talking utter nonsense. A pleasure to work on this film, chatting to incredible people in my hometown and separating fact from fiction.

Luton v Tommy Robinson: the myth of a town divided – video Summer 2025 was marked by a surge in anti-immigrant protests, attacks on mosques and racist graffiti across the UK. The unrest, stoked by far-right agitators such as Tommy Robinson, sought to pit comm...

This is an excellent piece of reportage by journalist and historian @tajali1.bsky.social from the streets of Luton, recently targetted by #far-right trouble makers.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/vide...

An excellent initiative that not only collates the information, but supports the victims too

You can support this independent anti-racist reporting and monitoring organisation by donating here 👇

www.gofundme.com/f/build-an-i...

Taj Ali has a new antiracism monitoring & reporting initiative

bsky.app/profile/taja...

NEWS: I’ve set up an independent anti-racist reporting and monitoring organisation. We’ll document racist attacks, support victims, pressure authorities to act, and amplify the voices of smaller, more isolated Black and Asian communities across Britain.🧵

Sure

In the early phases, we’ll signpost support, collect data + advocate. With your backing, we can go further, giving time to individual cases and amplifying the voices of smaller, isolated Black and Asian communities whose experiences too often go unheard.

www.gofundme.com/f/build-an-i...