An imam has said he would welcome Tommy Robinson to his local mosque for food and conversation as part of efforts to address concerns and fears held by the far right.
It comes as Muslim organisations welcomed the UK government’s announcement of extra security for mosques, as a national monitoring group reported a fivefold increase in threats to Islamic communities.
Mosques have been among buildings targeted in riots in the past week, as serious disorder broke out in several locations across the UK.
Sabah Ahmedi, 30, known as “the young imam” on social media, extended an invitation to members of the far right to speak with him to ask questions they have about the religion of Islam.
He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I would love to sit with the far right, have food with them, show them around my mosque and address the questions and issues they have with Islam because what they are doing right now is based on misconceptions and misinformation.”
Speaking to the PA news agency about the invitation to the Baitul Futuh mosque in south London, he said he tries to use his social media platform to “help educate people about Islam, help educate people about the true teachings of what my faith teaches on life as a Muslim”.
Asked if he expected someone like Tommy Robinson, a founder and former leader of the English Defence League and someone who has been accused of stirring trouble from abroad, to take him up on the offer, he said: “I don’t see why not.”
He added: “If Tommy Robinson said ‘I will come to the mosque to see what it’s all about’, I would say ‘yeah’. I’d invite anybody to the mosque to come and see what it’s all about.”
“I would open the doors to the mosque to the far right for them to come and have dinner and for them to come and see what life is like as a Muslim and address some of the concerns and fears that they have.
“Because acting in a violent manner does not achieve anything, it creates more frustration in society.”
I would love to sit with the far right, have food with them, show them around my mosque and address the questions and issues they have with Islam because what they are doing right now is based on misconceptions and misinformation.
— Sabah Ahmedi (@theyoungimam) August 5, 2024
Asked about levels of fear in Britain’s Muslim community, he said: “I know there are conversations happening in families where people are saying that they are scared to leave their homes and go to work. Naturally, you would be fearful. It is concerning.
“I think we need to stand together, united, to stamp out extremism and not let these people take control of what’s happening.”
Of his own concerns, the imam – who lives just outside London – said: “I have thought twice about going into London to attend my (work). Naturally, you’d be a little bit more cautious.”
But he said he will continue his efforts to educate people on Islam, in his role as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
On Sunday, the UK home office offered mosques greater protections, saying “rapid security” deployment can be requested in order to allow a return to worship as fast as possible.
It came as Tell Mama, which monitors Islamophobia in the UK, said a “surge in extreme right-wing activity in the past week” had led to a fivefold increase in threats to Muslim communities, and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents and crimes.
There was also a rise in threats and attacks to mosques and Islamic institutions and centres reported to Tell Mama after the Southport attack last week, it said.
The organisation joined the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and UK-founded charity Islamic Relief in welcoming the UK government’s move to provide additional support to places of worship through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.
A spokesperson for Islamic Relief UK said “far too many communities are at risk” because of “mainstreamed racism and Islamophobia, and the repeated dehumanisation of refugees”.
They added: “We are hopeful that the Government’s announcement of extra support to mosques should offer some reassurance, and help normal services to resume.
“There is no place for racism, violence or Islamophobia in our country.
“Wherever racism or Islamophobia rears its head, it must be called out for what it is and stamped out.”
