The Agency finds that the strong and united stand taken by the UK Government, police and community leaders, including Muslim community representatives, in condemning both the bombings and any retaliation, has played a major part in preventing an anti-Muslim backlash. This joint action was decisive in countering a short-term upsurge in anti-Muslim incidents in the immediate aftermath of the bombings. Such incidents have now dropped back to levels before the bomb attacks. The report finds that across the EU, the firm stand taken by Governments, communities and Muslim organisations has had a similar effect.
The report concludes with recommendations on how in the longer term Islamophobia can be countered and community cohesion is strengthened.