- London showed last week that the capital stands united against racism and Islamophobia
- Sadiq continues to work closely with the Met and communities across London to provide support following the appalling scenes of violence and disorder across the country as he calls for no complacency
- Mayor announces expansion of City Hall-funded security training for places of worship in London
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has reiterated that London stands united against racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism as he announced additional support for security training at mosques in the capital, following the scenes of violence and disorder across the country earlier this month.
The targeting of Muslims and minority ethnic communities has left many fearing for their safety and the Mayor has worked closely with the Met, partners and communities across the capital to ensure those in London are safe – and feel safe.
The Mayor has provided funding for four additional security training sessions in mosques across the capital, as he extends his work to support faith leaders across the capital, build community cohesion and tackle hate crime following the recent disorder.
Sadiq has also welcomed the reopening of the Government’s Mosque Security Scheme following his calls. The scheme is providing rapid security support for any buildings vulnerable to Hate Crime, boosting the work done by local police forces and building on the Government’s existing Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, with up to £29.4 million already to fund security at mosques and Muslim faith schools.
Today, the Mayor visited Al Manaar, The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, in west London, to speak with Mosque leaders and provide further reassurance following the disorder seen around the country over the last fortnight.
Faith Associates, who are leading experts in Mosque security, led the first of the four new sessions at Al Manaar to provide practical advice on how to keep congregations and premises safe. Representatives from the Met were also in attendance. The sessions will cover protective security and safety processes, as well as hate crime and online safety and security. A Community Resilience Champions programme also runs in partnership with London Boroughs Faiths Network that provides practical support for faith leaders on how to keep their places of worship safe for staff, visitors and communities.
Last week as disorder took place in some cities, the Mayor chaired a meeting with the Met Commissioner, London MPs and borough leaders on community cohesion and safety in the capital. He also visited Chelsea FC Foundation who deliver sessions and online workshops funded by City Hall that empower young Londoners to reject hate and give them the confidence to stand up to intolerance.
This followed the Met Police and London Resilience Unit bringing together partners across the capital to ensure they were working together at a time of heightened tensions, and the Met making it clear that anyone seeking to engage in disorder and sow division would face the full force of the law.
Throughout his time as Mayor, Sadiq has led from the front to ensure the Met takes a zero-tolerance approach to all hate crime. This Mayor has invested a record £14.8m in combatting hatred, intolerance and extremism in all its forms, providing support to grassroots community groups, This includes his £3.95m Shared Endeavour Fund which is helping tens of thousands of Londoners to get involved in grassroots community-led projects across London that stand up to hate, intolerance, extremism and radicalisation wherever they are, as well as supporting the Community Alliance To Combat Hate (CATCH) partnership which supports victims of all forms of hate crime.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m proud that last week Londoners sent a clear message that we are an open and welcoming city that is united against all forms of hate.
“The peaceful shows of unity on our streets were inspiring and comforting, however the violence and disorder that was seen across the country has left many Londoners afraid. There is no room for complacency. We can never stop being vigilant.
“I continue to work closely with the government, the Met and community leaders to ensure that Londoners feel safe, and are safe, and through this new funding we will provide additional support and information to help Mosque leaders during this difficult time. This is on top of the increased funding we’re already providing to places of worship in the capital. I want to thank the Home Office for providing additional funding for protective security for Mosques.
“London will always be proud of our diversity and we will continue to do all we can to show that our city will never tolerate violence, racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, as we build a safer London for all.”
Shaukat Warraich, managing director at Faith Associates, said: “The recent disorder and Islamophobia observed around the country has been shocking and has scared people. Faith Associates are experts in Mosque Security and have delivered capacity building work with Mosques around the world. We have a long history of working with the Mayor of London on helping to keep the Muslim community in the capital safe, regularly partnering together since 2019. The new support provided to us by MOPAC will allow even more Mosques to receive vital safety and security advice which can be implemented immediately.”