British mosques open doors to promote community cohesion

The nation-wide initiative, ‘Visit My Mosque’, will involve hundreds of mosques opening their doors on the 18^th of February 2018 to welcome local community members of all faiths – and none – to have a look around and ask questions.

The initiative, now in its fourth year, is organised by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) – the largest umbrella body of Muslim organizations in the UK. It aims to tackle the misunderstanding that often surrounds British Muslim communities and increase awareness of the role of mosques in the wider society.

The MCB said the initiative is “shining a spotlight on how mosques are positively shaping their local communities”.

Harun Khan – Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain – said: “Muslims across the UK are yet again sending a strong message that despite what the headlines say, we are open, engaging in dialogue and positively contributing to British public life”.

He continued by saying “Last year saw over ten thousand visitors nationwide attend a Visit My Mosque open day event and we hope that in 2018 with over 200 mosques taking part, even more visitors will take the opportunity to get to know their Muslim neighbours”.

The event will involve mosques sharing tea and biscuits, and encouraging guests to ask questions that they may have on Muslims, the functioning of the mosque and the general faith of Islam.

It has been supported by many prominent members of Politics, praising it for its welcoming message of increasing community cohesion, including by Jeremy Corbyn:

The initiative first began in 2015 with approximately 20 mosques taking part, however grew rapidly over the next few years due to popular demand.

This year will see more than 200 mosques across the UK take part, expecting a turnout of many thousands of Britons.

You can find your closest participating mosque here.