The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has unveiled fresh safety advice for mosques across the UK, responding to a surge in anti-Muslim incidents. The updated Mosque Safety and Security Guidance toolkit was released on Thursday, June 18, ahead of the anniversary of the Finsbury Park terror attack, and warns that threats against Muslim communities remain a "deeply entrenched and evolving danger."
The guidance follows an alarming incident at Manchester Central Mosque in Victoria Park, where police were called during Ramadan prayers after volunteers reported two men entering the building carrying suspected weapons, including an axe, hammer, and knife. One man was arrested in February and charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Police stated that no threats were made and no one was injured.
The MCB reported that anti-Muslim incidents occur on average at least once a week across the UK over the past three months, citing mosque vandalism, racist threats, and Islamophobic graffiti. The new toolkit provides practical advice for mosque trustees, volunteers, and staff, including lockdown plans, emergency response plans, and guides for protecting mosques from intruders, harmful mail, or cyber security attacks.
Urgent Call for Vigilance
The MCB urged members to "not be complacent," warning that several potential mass fatality attacks planned on places of worship have been intercepted by police across the UK. The launch comes before the ninth anniversary of the June 19, 2017 Finsbury Park terror attack, where Makram Ali, 51, died and 12 others were injured when Darren Osborne drove a van into worshippers outside the Muslim Welfare House.
Dr. Wajid Akhter, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "As we approach the June 19th Finsbury Park terrorist attack anniversary, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Uncle Makram Ali, the survivors and their families. The horror of that night remains etched in our collective memory. It remains a stark reminder of what happens when venomous, unchecked Islamophobia is allowed to fester in our society."
He added: "Dehumanising rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants and Muslims continues to circulate online and in public discourse, directly translating to heightened anxiety and vulnerability on the ground. The recent riots in Southampton and Belfast that exploited knife crime tragedies highlight how parts of Britain’s politicians and mainstream media, aided by algorithm-fuelled social media disinformation and foreign-based billionaires seeking yet more violence on our streets, relish any opportunity to relive the Southport-style racist and Islamophobic nationwide riots of summer 2024."
Empowering Communities
Dr. Akhter emphasised: "This updated guidance is not just about installing physical barriers; it is about empowering our communities to remain vigilant, to build strong local relationships and allies and to have the structure in place to respond." The MCB also called upon the government to take action against Islamophobia, far-right radicalisation, and online hate speech that fuels real-world violence.
The Council has written to Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Local Communities, about a number of recent incidents, including:
- Nazi swastika symbol graffiti sprayed on the wall of a mosque in Shrewsbury
- Threatening, racist and Islamophobic letters sent to mosques in Buckinghamshire
- Repeated Islamophobic graffiti spray on the wall of a mosque in Surrey
- Vandalism by hostile thugs at a mosque in Newham, East London on three separate occasions this year
- Abbey Wood "hit and run" incident where a visibly Muslim woman wearing a headscarf was struck by a car travelling at speed, with CCTV footage appearing to show the driver intentionally steering towards her before accelerating and fleeing
- Vandalism and death threats sustained by worshippers at a mosque in Birmingham
- Islamophobic graffiti sprayed on graves at a cemetery in Walsall
- Smashed windows sustained by a mosque in Glasgow during Ramadan whilst women and children were gathered inside to break their fast
- So-called "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London including calls by official speakers on stage to "remove Islam from every single place of authority" and "it’s time for many Muslims to leave this country"
- Aggressive man walking into a mosque entrance in Liverpool shouting expletives and threatening to kill brown and black people
- Protestors directly outside a mosque in North England including shouting "send them home" into the microphone
- Posters displayed publicly in Belfast residential areas with images of Muslims and signs stating "Not Welcome. Not Wanted Here" and "Anyone Facilitating The Settlement of Muslims or Illegals in our Areas will be Held Responsible. We Are Watching."
The newly developed guidance supports mosque trustees, volunteers, and staff with practical tools to safeguard their congregations and improve physical safety of their premises, as well as handle modern digital threats.
