Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘We must make people feel safe in their houses of worship’

by Imam MOHAMMED MAHMOUD

THE terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch last month, claiming the lives of 51 people, sent shockwaves across Muslim minority communities throughout the world.


Having just returned from New Zealand to take part in prayers and the funerals of those who died, I can guarantee many Muslims in London would have felt that it could very easily happen here.

Mosques are woefully under­protected, open spaces that anyone can enter. There is a feeling of unease within the Muslim community which only increases with recently reported incidents such as the vandalising of five mosques in Birmingham.

It is almost two years since my community in north London was subjected to an Islamophobic terror attack in which one worshipper, Makram Ali, lost his life. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, we were inundated with messages of support from across the globe. It was at that moment that I understood the uplifting and consoling effect sympathetic words and sentiments can have, especially from those so far away. This is why I felt it was important to visit the Muslim community in Christchurch in person, to show that despite the geographic distance, our hearts grieve together.

In Christchurch, there was a palpable sense of a city in mourning. From the Coptic Christian taxi driver who knew two of the dead personally, to the grief­stricken non­Muslim hotel receptionist, to those who had come to pay their respects at the mosque, it was clear that everyone had been af fected by the attack. The tone of the response to the massacre was set right from the top when prime minister Jacinda Ardern powerfully said the victims “are us”, despite the fact that many were immigrants.

I had the honour and privilege to attend many of the funerals of those who had been killed. It was a sombre and dignified occasion as, rightly, walls were erected around the burial sites to give the families of the deceased privacy. As I stood there, I could not help but think I could be praying over my own congregation back home in the future, unless we start taking the threat of Islamophobia seriously.

How can we start to combat this trend of rising Islamophobia, and make our Muslim citizens feel safe in their houses of worship? First, there needs to be a marked increase in funding for security for mosques, beyond what was announced recently, that takes into consideration the high proportion – over half, according to most recent figures – of religious hate crime directed at Muslims. Second, the  government should urgently adopt a working definition of Islamophobia and call it out wherever it sees it, even when that is difficult. And finally, there needs to be meaningful and consistent engagement with Muslim communities across the board. I was heartened to meet James Brokenshire, the communities secretary, at a memorial event recently – his commitment to tackling Islamophobia must be commended, and I hope he is able to take this work forward.

The culture of the nation at any given time is, to an extent, influenced by the tone set by its political leadership. Ardern engaged with Muslim communities in New Zealand with grace and authenticity, but we have only seen empty words of conciliation, followed by not much action, from parts of our own government when it tries to engage. This needs to change. Only then will we be able to prevent an attack similar to what took place in Christchurch occurring on our own shores.

More For You

Why Trump believes Middle East peace plan will work

Donald Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu

Why Trump believes Middle East peace plan will work

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan to move 10 million people out of Israel and resettle them in Germany, France and the UK has caused outrage across the world.

With Hamas leaders standing happily by his side, Trump told reporters at a press conference at the White House: “Everybody I have spoken to loves the idea.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Comment: ‘We should encourage settled migrants to become British'

The government should recognise the substantive and symbolic value of citizenship

Comment: ‘We should encourage settled migrants to become British'

HOW long should you live in Britain before you can become British?

Most people think that five years is about the right length of time to take up citizenship.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

Vicky Kaushal in 'Chhaava'

Chhaava

Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

UK SHOW IS A SHOCKER

THE recent Rewind Queens tour was an absolute shocker. The concerts had already been postponed from 2024 due to Alka Yagnik’s severe illness, yet organisers likely knew she wouldn’t be able to perform in the January shows in London and Birmingham – but only announced her absence days before.

Keep ReadingShow less
Column: How much longer will Rachel Reeves stay on as chancellor?

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves

Column: How much longer will Rachel Reeves stay on as chancellor?

THERE are a few Labour MPs who think “Rachel from accounts will be gone sooner than you think”.

She has certainly outdone Liz Truss in trashing the economy, but the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, will be loath to sack Rachel Reeves as chancellor because his own future is tied up with hers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cohesion and anti-racism: Two sides of the same coin

Access to opportunities can affect attitudes to immigration across Britain

Cohesion and anti-racism: Two sides of the same coin

SIX months have passed since the evil murders in Southport triggered six days of senseless violence.

Rioters terrified Muslim worshippers at the town’s mosque, tried to burn asylum seekers alive at a Rotherham hotel, and spread fear among ethnic minorities across the country by posting targets for a pogrom of future violence.

Keep ReadingShow less