Mayor Of London Improves Security Training At Mosques After A Series Of Riots And Chaos

JAKARTA - The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on Wednesday reaffirmed the city's dedication to fighting racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, while announcing expanded support for security training at mosques across the British capital.

The initiative comes in response to the unrest and chaos that has spread and has left many members of the ethnic minority community worried about their safety.

The mayor's safety guarantee includes funding for four additional security training sessions at London mosques.

These sessions are part of broader efforts to support religious leaders, strengthen community cohesion, fight hate crimes after an incident that disrupted earlier this month.

"London pointed out last week that the capital city united against racism and Islamophobia," the mayor said, quoted by the Daily Sabah on August 15.

"We have to make sure all Londoners are not only safe, but also feel safe in their communities. There is no place for hatred in our city."

Walu Khan City has worked closely with the Metropolitan Police, local partners, and community leaders to ensure the safety of various communities in London.

During a visit to Al Manaar, the Muslim Cultural Heritage Center in West London, Mayor Khan met with mosque leaders to provide certainty and encouragement.

The first new safety training session, led by the Faith Associates - experts in mosque security - took place in Al Manaar.

The session provides practical advice on the protection of congregants and places, which include topics such as protective security, hate crime, and online security. Representatives from the Metropolitan Police were also present to share their expertise.

Mayor Khan stressed the need for vigilance and sustainable action, stating, "We must not be complacent. It is very important for us to remain united and proactive in ensuring the safety of our society, especially in these challenging times."

In a move welcomed by the mayor, the government has also reopened its mosque security scheme, which provides rapid support for buildings prone to hate crimes.

This is in line with the Protective Security Scheme for existing mosques, which has allocated up to 29.4 million to increase security in mosques and Islamic schools.