Far right claims Muslims are taking over Britain
25 October 2026
On 17 October 2026, the leader of Restore Britain, Paul Thomas, claimed that “other religions” were taking over Britain. When challenged to identify which religions, he cited “Sharia courts”. Except there are NO “Sharia courts” within the UK’s judicial system. This is the concerted fear mongering that fuels anti-Muslim hatred.
Muslims, Jews and Catholics all have their own religious councils or tribunals operating in Britain.
These institutions allow members of their respective faith communities to seek religious guidance and resolve matters according to their religious traditions.
Muslims have Sharia councils, Jewish communities have Beth Din, and the Catholic Church has canon law tribunals.
Although their functions differ, all three deal with religious matters within their communities, none has the authority to override British law.
Sharia councils primarily deal with Islamic marriage, religious divorce and guidance on religious matters. Jewish Beth Din deal with Jewish divorce, conversion, religious questions and, in some cases, civil arbitration. Catholic tribunals deal primarily with marriage annulments and matters concerning Church law and governance.
Some religious bodies can also undertake voluntary civil arbitration, but only within the limits of UK law.
None of these institutions forms part of the UK’s state judicial system or has the power to impose religious law on the wider population.
So why are Muslim religious institutions repeatedly singled out as evidence of a supposed takeover of Britain, while comparable Jewish and Christian institutions are never portrayed in the same way?
Muslims are not outsiders, they have been part of British society for over 100 years, fighting in world wars, and entitled to the same religious freedoms, dignity and protection from discrimination as everyone else.
And Muslims, like Jews and Christians, can practise their religion within a legal system in which British law remains supreme. In fact Muslims are forbidden under Islam from acting outwith the laws of their country of residence.
The Muslim community is increasingly fearing for their future in this society. Politicians should be held accountable for inciting anti Muslim hatred and promoting unfounded narratives that portray an entire community as a threat to British society.