With the rise in Islamophobic violence across the UK, Muslims across the country found themselves second-guessing whether they should leave their homes out of fear for their safety.
However, all hope was not lost, as the British public simultaneously came out in support of all affected minorities with a strong, unbreakable wave of solidarity and national unity.
Nauman Ahmed, Community Fundraising and Volunteers Officer at Muslim Aid, saw this strong sense of community spirit play out before his eyes during a Mosque collection outside a North London Mosque during Friday prayers.
“Muslim Aid’s Community Fundraising team had a discussion on whether we should continue with the Friday Mosque collections, considering the security threat. We decided to put our trust in the Almighty Allah and continue our duty, especially because we were fundraising for Palestinians in Gaza who need us more than ever”, he explained.
On the first Friday after the Southport tragedy, Muslim Aid’s Community Fundraising team prayed for protection and stayed firm in their decision to arrive at the Islamic Association of North London. What happened next was a manifestation of their prayer in the form of deep communal cohesion and solidarity.
“While we were carrying out the Mosque collection, we realised local priests and rabbis, along with representatives of local MP Sarah Sackman, showed up in solidarity with the local Muslim community.”
“Quite honestly, seeing this made my heart melt”, Nauman said.
Each of the community leaders took turns to speak after the Friday sermon, all of whom asserting the refusal to succumb to the attempt to divide the British public and expressing their solidarity with the Muslim community and all others affected by the violent riots that have targeted Muslims, migrants and people of colour.
While Nauman found this show of solidarity heartwarming, he asserted that it only exemplified the natural unity within the wider London and British communities.
“Close to my home, there’s a Mosque, a Sikh Gurdwara, and a couple of Churches. We all live alongside each other peacefully and get along very well. The essence of London is in its diversity and unity”, Nauman said.
“This is the London I grew up in, and there are no plans for this to change. We are one.”
Imam Hamid Qureshi, Director of the Islamic Association of North London said: “Muslims consistently oppose oppression, irrespective of its geographical origin or the identity of those affected. On this occasion, the Muslim community itself was targeted.
However, the Muslims in our area demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of hatred. It was profoundly reassuring to witness the support of local faith leaders, who visited the mosque on Friday to express their solidarity with the Muslim community.”
