Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Mosques and faith schools can bid for funding to boost security

Mosques and faith schools can bid for funding to boost security

MOSQUES and Muslim faith schools in the UK can bid for funding to increase security measures to help tackle hate crime, the government has said. 

These institutions have been given access to a £24.5 million fund to install CCTV cameras and perimeter fencing to ensure that adequate measures are in place to protect worshippers.


Besides, £3.5m is available for other faith communities through the government’s Places of Worship Fund.

The fund is to ensure that faith communities are protected from the threat of hate crime. It will be given to places of worship such as churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and associated faith community centres in order to improve physical security, a statement said.

This scheme runs along with the Jewish Community Protective Security grant, which provides protective security for the Jewish community and was recently renewed this year.

According to a statement, 45 per cent of religious hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2020/2021 were targeted against Muslims.

Security secretary, Damian Hinds said: “It is a fundamental right to be able to practise your faith in your community. This new round of funding will cover the costs of security measures for places of worship to deter and prevent hate crime attacks on vulnerable communities, making our streets safer.

“I encourage any place of worship which feels vulnerable to hate crime to apply for funding through the Places of Worship fund.”

The government claimed that the recent increase in police recorded hate crime is mainly due to improvements in crime recording and better identification of what constitutes a hate crime.

However, the crime survey for England and Wales has revealed a long-term decline in overall hate crime.

A new scheme for Muslim faith schools to provide additional protection will be rolled out later in the year, the statement added.

“The additional support from this government to ensure security support through guarding services is warmly welcomed and much needed," said Iman Atta, director of Tell MAMA, which supports victims of anti-Muslim hate and also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents

"Tell MAMA has regularly called for additional support to Islamic institutions and mosques and is in line with the national anti-Muslim hate crime monitoring and support services that Tell MAMA provides on an ongoing basis. Collectively, this support from the Government should be welcomed and applauded.”

More For You

uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sanger-Tribute

Indian high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami speaking at the memorial.

Bhavan London pays tribute to Joginder Sanger

BHAVAN LONDON held a tribute event on 27 March to honour Joginder Sanger, a British Indian hotelier and philanthropist who passed away at 82 on 28 February.

Sanger, born in Jalandhar, India, established several London hotels, including the Washington Mayfair Hotel, Courthouse Hotels in Soho and Shoreditch, and the Bentley in Kensington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Imran-Khan-Getty

Imran Khan, founder of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been in jail since August 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

FORMER Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on human rights and democracy.

The nomination was announced by members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA), an advocacy group formed in December, who are also part of the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Barnaby Rogerson in conversation with Anthony Sattin (L) on day 2 of Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Mahesh Liloriya

The second day of Voices of Faith unfolded with an enchanting blend of music, philosophy, and intellectual exploration at the Barbican Centre, London. This inaugural festival, curated by Teamwork Arts—the force behind the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London—has been made possible by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners, amplifying the festival’s reach and resonance.

Session 1- Echoes of eternity: The timeless notes of Kabir

Keep ReadingShow less