In the face of rising anti-Muslim attacks and a surge in hate crime across England and Wales, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has issued a stark warning to its affiliated mosques and community centers. The MCB's new security and preparedness framework emphasizes the need for proactive measures to safeguard places of worship and community hubs. This comes as a response to a series of incidents, including vandalism, intimidation, and targeted hostility, which have left Muslim communities feeling vulnerable and anxious.
The guidance, released on the MCB's website (https://mcb.org.uk/mosque-security/), provides a comprehensive roadmap for improving security over three, 12, and 36 months. It includes practical advice on lockdown procedures, emergency response planning, incident reporting systems, and strengthening relationships with local authorities and police forces. The framework highlights common vulnerabilities, such as a lack of named safety officers, weak links with police, uncontrolled access points, poor lighting, and volunteers unsure of emergency response protocols.
The MCB's concerns are not unfounded. Home Office figures released last October revealed a disturbing trend: recorded hate crime in England and Wales was on the rise for the first time in three years, with a significant increase in racially and religiously motivated offenses. This data underscores the growing threat faced by Muslim communities, who make up 3.9 million people in England and Wales.
The framework encourages mosques to build stronger relationships with neighbors, councillors, local businesses, and other faith groups. By fostering community ties, mosques can ensure a faster and calmer response when incidents occur. However, the MCB's secretary general, Wajid Akhter, warns that dehumanizing rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants, and Muslims in public discourse has directly translated to heightened anxiety and vulnerability on the ground.
Akhter's statement reflects a broader concern about the impact of Islamophobia and racism on Muslim communities. He references the 19 June 2017 Finsbury Park terrorist attack, which remains a haunting memory for many. The recent riots in Southampton and Belfast, fueled by knife crime tragedies, further highlight the potential for violence and the need for robust security measures.
An anonymous survey conducted after the disorder in Northern Ireland revealed widespread fear among Muslim communities. One respondent, who lives with her family in accommodation attached to a mosque, expressed a constant state of fear and anxiety, fearing an attack on their home while they sleep. Another respondent described the terrifying behavior of young men going door-to-door, targeting foreigners, and the support gap for those affected by anti-Muslim hate crime.
In conclusion, the MCB's guidance is a call to action for mosques and community centers to take proactive steps towards security and preparedness. By addressing vulnerabilities and building strong community relationships, Muslim communities can better protect themselves and foster a sense of resilience in the face of rising anti-Muslim attacks and hate crime. The framework serves as a reminder that security is not just about physical barriers but also about empowering communities to remain vigilant and responsive to potential threats.
