UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills as fears of anti-Muslim attacks grow

“As we approach [the anniversary of] the 19 June [2017] Finsbury Park terrorist attack, 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 said.

He said that dehumanising rhetoric against ethnic minorities, immigrants and Muslims circulating in public discourse had directly translated to heightened anxiety and vulnerability on the ground.

“The recent riots in Southampton and Belfast that exploited knife crime tragedies highlights 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,” he added.

The MCB said an anonymous survey conducted following the recent disorder in Northern Ireland revealed widespread fear among Muslim communities. One respondent, who lives with her family in accommodation attached to a mosque, described being in a “constant state of fear and anxiety” following attacks on homes, businesses and vehicles.

“I am deathly worried that our mosque will be attacked and burned in the middle of the night whilst me, my husband and my girls are sleeping upstairs and we can’t get out in time,” she said. “I have been having these thoughts and can’t seem to stop catastrophising.”

Another respondent said: “It is frightening to witness young men being influenced and going door to door looking for foreigners, claiming there are foreigners in certain homes. This behaviour is terrifying for many people in the community”

They noted that a Muslim hijabi woman was recently chased by racists on her way to work. “She was in a very vulnerable situation, and a passerby helped her get into a car and to safety.”

Another respondent said support for those affected by anti-Muslim hate crime had been limited. They said their day to day lives had been significantly altered since widespread racist rioting engulfed Belfast this month.

“Many of us feel unsafe going out to work, shop, or carry out normal day-to-day activities because of racist targeting and intimidation,” they said.

Akhter said the guidance for mosques and security framework was 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.”