The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
United Kingdom

Dear Prime Minister,
Re: Hate Crime Golders Green
On behalf of the Rochdale Council of Mosques, we extend our sincere condolences and express our solidarity with the three victims—one from the Muslim community and two from the Jewish community—affected by the knife attacks in Golders Green and other parts of London on 29 April 2026. Our thoughts are with them during this deeply distressing time. We stand firmly united in condemning all forms of violence, hatred, and intolerance, and reaffirm our commitment to promoting peace, mutual respect, and community cohesion.

At the same time, we feel compelled to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the response of the Government and sections of the mainstream media to this incident. While it is entirely appropriate that the victims from the Jewish community have been acknowledged and supported—both emotionally and through the allocation of £25 million—it is concerning that there has been little to no reference to the third victim, whom we understand to be from a Muslim background, and who was also affected in the same attack.

This apparent omission, both in Government statements and meetings, as well as across much of the mainstream media, raises serious concerns. There is a growing perception within communities that there is a worrying pattern of behaviour being adopted by the Government that prioritises the needs of one community over another. Can you please provide some reassurance that this is not the case. Acts of violence should never be framed in a way that highlights one community while overlooking another. Such an approach risks creating a hierarchy of victimhood, which undermines the fundamental principle that all lives are equal and equally
deserving of recognition, dignity, and compassion. We believe that failing to acknowledge all victims not only causes hurt and
alienation but also sets a dangerous precedent. It inadvertently erases the experiences and identities of others affected and weakens the collective unity that is essential in standing against hate in all its forms.

As a nation, we must ensure that our leadership reflects fairness, inclusivity, and consistency. We cannot have a Government that appears selective in its condolences—offering visible and financial support to one faith group while overlooking another who suffered in the same act of violence. Such imbalance risks deepening divisions at a time when cohesion and mutual respect are more important than ever. We respectfully urge you and your Government to adopt a more inclusive and balanced approach in addressing such incidents, ensuring that all victims are recognised equally, regardless of their faith or background.

We remain committed to working collaboratively to promote peace, understanding, and unity across all communities.
Yours sincerely,
Tahir Mahmood
Chair, Rochdale Council of Mosques