This initiative comes in response to recent violence and targeted attacks against Muslims and ethnic minority communities across the country.
The mayor has allocated £10,000 for four training sessions that will offer mosque leaders practical advice on protective security, safety processes, and dealing with hate crimes and online threats.
The first session took place at Al Manaar, the Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in west London, where Khan met with mosque leaders to offer support. The session was conducted by Faith Associates, a group specializing in mosque security, with participation from the Met Police.
Earlier this month, Hina Bokhari, leader of the London Assembly’s Liberal Democrat group, urged the mayor to enhance security for places of worship, citing growing concerns among Muslims about the rise in hate crimes.
Khan stated, “Londoners have shown we are a city united against all forms of hate. While the peaceful unity on our streets was inspiring, the violence seen across the country has left many feeling fearful. We must remain vigilant.
This new funding will help provide mosque leaders with the necessary support during these challenging times, in addition to the increased funding already provided to places of worship in London.”
Shaukat Warraich, managing director at Faith Associates, described the recent surge in Islamophobia as shocking and frightening. He highlighted the importance of the new support, noting that it will enable more mosques to receive crucial safety and security guidance.
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