Following the Islamophobic terrorist attack on Masjid Al-Noor in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15 March 2019, the MCB wrote to the Prime Minister on 17 March (PDF) calling on the government to properly fund mosque security, in-line with funding amounts for other faith communities.
The following day, the Home Secretary announced additional funding for the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme (PSS). The full government announcement can be viewed here and 19 April update here. The MCB issued a statement in response to the first announcement here.
Since then, during April/May 2019, the MCB has consulted a wide cross-section of Muslim organisations both within and beyond its membership, for their views on issues of safety and security for mosques in the UK and their likely engagement with the amended Protective Security Scheme.
The key feedback themes and recommendations were summarised in a briefing paper issued to the Home Office on 11 June 2019, with the aim of constructively feeding back into the design of the updated scheme, to ensure it is accessible and fair with respect to all aspects of its provision and addresses potential barriers to access and take-up.
Click here to view the briefing paper.
For any questions on this or any related topics, please do not hesitate to contact us.