Muslim-led Charities Remain Invisible in UK Politics – And That Must Change

The Muslim-led voluntary and community sector (VCS) makes immense contributions to every facet of British life, tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time, from poverty and homelessness to gender-based violence and social inequality.

Yet, Muslim-led charities remain underrepresented and largely invisible across British political parties. As a result, they are often uninvolved in policymaking processes that directly affect their work and the communities they serve. The result is less inclusive and less effective decision-making, with policies that may not reflect the realities or needs of marginalised communities. Enhancing the visibility and active participation of Muslim-led organisations is therefore crucial to ensuring that policy decisions are informed, equitable, and truly responsive to the communities they aim to support.

A Visible Absence

Despite their impact, Muslim-led organisations are often absent from key policy and party-political spaces. Beyond a handful of larger charities and organisations engaging in public policy, the Muslim-led VCS was largely absent from this year’s autumn party conferences. By contrast, charities and civil society groups, in general, were well-represented at these events, many hosting fringe sessions and shaping discussions on critical issues such as social care, mental health, and poverty, often alongside MPs and Peers. These forums clearly demonstrate that charity and community voices are both welcomed and influential. As such, there is ample opportunity for Muslim-led organisations to contribute meaningfully to these conversations, particularly on issues in which they play a vital yet often under-recognised role. Moreover, these collaborative engagements with other organisations are integral to fostering allyship and unity across communities, sharing best practices, and strengthening the wider policy and civil society landscape, which promotes more inclusive and robust policymaking.

The underrepresentation of the Muslim VCS in these arenas stems from a range of factors, including limited capacity, resources or awareness, as well as reluctance among some organisations to engage with political parties. Besides party conferences, there are other valuable avenues for political engagement, such as Muslim networks associated with political parties. For example, the Labour Muslim Network is hosting its 2025 conference this December, Muslims in Britain: Our Political Future, with attendance from senior Labour figures, including government ministers. Other networks, such as the Conservative Muslim Forum and the Muslim Greens, promote greater representation by amplifying Muslim perspectives and facilitating engagement with senior party figures who regularly interact with these groups. Through these platforms, Muslims are able to make their voices heard and play a more active role in shaping policy discussions and influencing the direction of the party. Therefore, to build meaningful influence and visibility, it is crucial that organisations engagement with these bodies. By showing up at public events, sharing perspectives, and engaging constructively, we help ensure the Muslim-led charity sector – and Muslim communities as a whole – are not only recognised but genuinely involved in shaping the policies that impact their lives.

No space at the table?

At the same time, Muslim-led organisations are largely excluded from decision-making tables, including on issues and policies that directly affect Muslim communities, highlighting a significant failing on the part of political parties. This exclusion is especially evident in policies such as the two-child benefit cap, which disproportionately impacts Muslim families. Research indicates that 155,000 more Muslim children than previously estimated are affected by the cap, with 55% of Muslim children living in families with more than two dependent children – roughly double the rate among the general population. Data also shows that British Muslims face disproportionately high levels of poverty, with 40% residing in the most deprived local authority districts in England and Wales.

Despite this, Muslim-led charities were rarely consulted or included in discussions around this policy – both when it was introduced in 2017 by the Conservative government and when it was retained by the current Labour government – meaning their expertise and lived experience were largely absent from the process. This lack of representation limits the sector’s ability to advocate effectively for those most affected and reduces the likelihood that policies will address the social and economic inequalities impacting Muslim communities. Beyond the immediate impacts on families, this exclusion reinforces the marginalisation of Muslim-led organisations within the broader policy landscape and diminishes the inclusivity and effectiveness of policymaking more broadly. Ensuring that a diverse range of organisations is included is therefore not only a matter of equity but also essential for designing policies that are fair, informed, and responsive to the needs of all communities.

Genuine Inclusion

Ultimately, it is vital that Muslim voices are meaningfully included in policy discussions and that Muslim-led organisations are actively engaged by political parties. This requires parties consulting the Muslim-led VCS at every stage of policy design and delivery, and forging genuine, long-term partnerships that address community needs in a sustained and effective way. Muslim communities form an integral part of Britain’s social fabric, and their perspectives must be heard in the spaces where decisions are made and narratives are shaped, otherwise they risk being left behind. This not only strengthens the robustness of policymaking but also upholds democratic principles, ensuring that all communities are represented and able to contribute to shaping the society in which they live. As such, MCF calls on all political parties to strengthen their efforts to meaningfully engage minoritised communities, including British Muslims, so as to build more inclusive parties and, in turn, more inclusive politics.