Mosques tighten security after harassment incident

Darassalaam Mosque said it had beefed up its security measures since the incident

Mosques in Peterborough will operate new security measures following a religiously aggravated incident at the city's Darassalaam Mosque.

At 06:45 BST on Friday, a 57-year-old man was arrested for disorderly and abusive behaviour during prayers at the Alma Road Mosque, with around 25 worshippers present.

He was charged on Saturday at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court, pleading guilty to religiously aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency worker, but denied racially aggravated harassment and a racially aggravated public order offence.

Peterborough's Joint Mosque Council (JMC) chairman Abdul Choudhuri said the community is "very concerned but not frightened," and confirmed mosques will now open only half an hour before prayer times and close shortly after.

'Stand together'

Mr Choudhuri said: "As you know, mosques are open all the time during the day. People can come and go. Steps are being taken to tighten our belts on security matters.

"I want the community to be vigilant. We welcome anybody who comes, but we just have to be more careful than before."

Mr Choudhuri said the community is determined "not to let people creating Islamophobia win", and that planned activities and classes at all the mosques will go ahead.

"This incident happened at a mosque... tomorrow it could be a gurdwara, temple, or church. We must stand together as one voice", he said.

A volunteer at the Darassalaam Mosque said they were "grateful to the worshippers" who helped the police officer during the incident.

"We have about 300 children and young people attending classes here, so we have assured parents asking them not to worry," the volunteer, who wished to stay anonymous, said.

"We now have two security volunteers while children's classes are ongoing. Our caretaker will also be present and be more vigilant, and also have CCTV for everyone's safety."

Abdul Choudhuri said Peterborough mosques have welcomed the extra police patrols around the area

Supt Ben Martin from Cambridgeshire Police said: "We recognise the impact this incident has had on the community and the importance of getting the suspect in front of the courts as swiftly as possible.

"We will continue to have an increased police presence near mosques in the city in the coming days as reassurance."

The man has since been released on bail with strict conditions, including not attending the mosque for any reason. He is due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on 26 November.

Shabina Qayyum, leader of the Labour-controlled city council, said: "I will be raising this at the highest level in government and with our MPs to ensure our Muslim community in Peterborough is kept safe and secure, free from intimidation and abuse."