Disorder prompts mosque to cancel open day

The open day at the mosque was due to take place on Saturday

A mosque's open day aimed at "building bridges between communities" has been cancelled due to recent violent disorder.

Sultania mosque in Belle Vue, Doncaster, said the event, planned for Saturday, would no longer take place due to concerns raised by recent unrest across England.

The mosque's iman Habeeb Minhas said the decision to cancel had been "heartbreaking".

He said they hoped to reschedule the event, aimed at educating people from all backgrounds about Islam, in the near future.

The all-day Discover Islam event was set to feature a wealth of activities including a tour of the mosque, seminars and Q&A sessions.

Mr Minhas said the open day had been planned before disorder broke out across the country following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

The violence, in towns and cities across England, has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment.

In South Yorkshire, rioters threatened to set the Holiday Inn Express, which housed asylum seekers, on fire on Sunday.

Mr Minhas said the continued unrest, especially so close to their own doorstep, had led to the difficult decision to cancel the event.

Imam Habeeb Minhas said the event was aimed at "building bridges" between communities

"My heart has been in my stomach for the past few days, it's been a devastation," he said.

"I never thought we would have to come to this decision.

"It was a time that we could've [used to] build that bridge between communities."

It is hoped the event can be rescheduled in the near future.

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