Riz Ahmed calls out Islamophobic narratives around Sadiq Khan

He pointed to misinformation shaping public perception of Muslim leaders

Riz Ahmed has spoken out about the persistent backlash and misinformation surrounding Sadiq Khan, calling attention to how Muslim public figures are often targeted.

During a recent conversation, Ahmed pointed out that London, one of the world’s largest cities, has had a Muslim mayor for years, yet Khan continues to face intense criticism and racially charged narratives.

He referenced viral online claims portraying London as unsafe or “taken over,” describing them as exaggerated and detached from reality. Ahmed pushed back on those portrayals, noting that crime rates in the city are at historic lows, contradicting the alarmist rhetoric often seen on social media.

Riz Ahmed: “We’ve had a Muslim mayor now for a long time in the UK, in London. There’s this really hilarious meme that’s like London’s been taken over and Sharia Law and it’s dangerous, Sadiq Khan, it’s the Taliban. Actually, violent crime in London is at an all time low” pic.twitter.com/xbVmsaBuXV

— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) April 2, 2026

Ahmed also highlighted how such narratives are not isolated, suggesting that Muslim leaders frequently become “lightning rods” for Islamophobic discourse, both in the UK and internationally.

His remarks have resonated online, sparking renewed discussion about misinformation, bias, and the treatment of Muslim figures in public life.