A man accused of carrying out a series of anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh that left five people injured has been charged with five counts of terrorism -linked attempted murder, as Muslim leaders warned the attack reflects a wider rise in anti-Muslim hostility across Scotland .
Speaking to The New Arab , Daniel Gilius, Scotland regional manager for the Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) organisation, said the attacks did not occur in isolation and followed a series of incidents targeting Muslim communities and mosques.
"The recent attack in Edinburgh did not take place in a vacuum; there were plenty of warning signs," Gilius said.
Lewis Hawkes, 36, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday following the attacks on 19 June, including the stabbing of two men outside Broomhouse Mosque shortly after evening prayers.
The two victims were taken to hospital after being stabbed multiple times. Three other people were later attacked on Leith Walk, while a taxi and a petrol station were also damaged during the alleged rampage.
Hawkes was additionally charged with assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct. Prosecutors said all charges were aggravated by an alleged terrorist connection.
The charges come amid growing concern among Scotland's Muslim communities over anti-Muslim hatred and violent attacks targeting places of worship and Muslim institutions.
Gilius told The New Arab that Muslim communities had repeatedly warned about rising anti-Muslim hostility and far-right extremism.
"Just over a year ago, a far-right radicalised teenager was arrested and charged with terrorism as he planned a mass murder attack on a mosque in Greenock, just outside Glasgow. Over the past year, several mosques in Scotland were also targeted, including a firebomb attack on Alloa Mosque and further acts of violence aimed at communities in Aberdeen, Elgin, Glasgow and Edinburgh," he said.
He added that recent unrest in Northern Ireland demonstrated the dangers posed by misinformation and anti-Muslim extremism.
"In recent weeks, we have seen the devastating consequences of misinformation and Islamophobic extremism in Northern Ireland as well, a nation with strong links to Scotland. There, we have seen family homes set on fire, businesses and lives torn apart by far-right hate," he said.
Several organisations campaigning against Islamophobia have in recent years called for stronger prevention measures and earlier intervention to tackle anti-Muslim hatred.
Campaigners have urged the UK government to implement recommendations made in reports on Islamophobia, including improved awareness training for teachers, public officials and journalists.
"Over the years, our mosques and communities have been visited many times by politicians with kind words and cameras, but today we are asking for change," Gilius said.
"Today we ask for legislative change to protect our families, our children, our elders and our places of worship," he added. Widespread condemnation The attacks have shaken Muslim communities across Scotland and prompted widespread condemnation from politicians and community leaders.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney described the alleged anti-Muslim attack as a "wake-up call" and said he was "terrified" that such intolerance had become normalised.
Following the attacks, Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski wrote on X: "Let's be very clear that vicious anti-Muslim hatred by politicians and their trillionaire mate Elon Musk create the conditions for this kind of vile attack. Sending huge solidarity to the Muslim community in Edinburgh and beyond."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the violence, writing on X: "No one should face violence on our streets. The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this. He will face the full force of the law."
Last week, The New Arab also reported that several Muslim associations in Scotland had raised the alarm over hostility towards Islamic institutions as well as noting a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric.