Muslims might not be welcomed by Britain’s “special” ally America, but 150 mosques across the UK today are defiantly opening their doors to non-Muslim visitors during “Visit My Mosque” day.
While not a new initiative - it was launched in 2015 - the Muslim Council of Britain effort has taken on new significance this year in the face of Donald Trump’s Islamophobic campaign rhetoric and policies.
“As the world recoils at President Trump’s so called ‘Muslim Ban’ and the mass killing at a mosque in Canada, [Visit My Mosque day] is a much needed antidote to the poisonous atmosphere we find ourselves in,” Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, told the Guardian.
“The British public, Muslim and non-Muslim, have an opportunity to come together and renew bonds of friendship.”
The numbers of participating mosques have almost doubled this year, in the wake of rising Islamophobia spurred by the British referendum on EU membership and, most recently, by Trump’s divisive executive order on immigration.
In this context, the initiative is an attempt to create greater understanding and cohesion between different religious groups. Visitors will be given information about Muslim practices, including worship and charitable activities.
#VisitMyMosque has been trending online as Brits from across political and religious divides have offered their encouragement for the open day.
“Visit My Mosque” has gained the support of the Anglican Church, whose followers represent around a fifth of the UK population, according to the 2009 British Social Attitudes Survey.
"The fear about human migration has got mixed up with different faiths." Listen to @paulbayes https://t.co/XJhb8k9DWw #visitmymosque
— Church of England (@c_of_e) February 4, 2017
As well as London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is a Muslim.
This weekend mosques are opening their doors for #VisitMyMosque. It’s a fantastic chance to meet your neighbours https://t.co/4wV2x1qt30
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) February 4, 2017
Ice cream manufacturers Ben & Jerry’s, who are well-known for their ethical policies and concern for social issues, also promoted the event:
Tomorrow is #VisitMyMosque Day! Find out more about how to get involved here > https://t.co/GtG0WSlFbg pic.twitter.com/FPEoSEj2ed
— Ben & Jerry's UK (@benandjerrysUK) February 4, 2017
A number of mosques have shared their preparations for welcoming visitors:
Many have pledged to visit their local mosques on Sunday, including MP Gareth Thomas:
I'll bvisit 3Mosques tmrw4 #VisitMyMosque day;after #TrumpBan a bit of ongo solidarity feels vneed @sicm_mahfil_ali https://t.co/FnXBISFWSd
— Gareth Thomas (@GarethThomasMP) February 4, 2017
Scottish MP Clare Haughey:
Thanks to @GlasgowMosque for their warm welcome today @CMonaghanMP @alisonthewliss @GradySNP @ChrisStephens @PartickFeargal #VisitMyMosque pic.twitter.com/JK9qV7hPbT
Clive Gregory, an Anglican Bishop, also promised to visit two local mosques.
He said: “In the current political climate, building bridges rather than walls between communities is more important than ever.
“Visit My Mosque Day is a fantastic opportunity to do this and I’d urge local Christians to get involved as we seek to strengthen our relations with local Muslims.”
RA
