Moin Uddin said many Muslims in Sutton have started sharing their recent experiences of harassment and violence
A leading figure in Sutton’s Muslim community has described the “shock” felt by worshippers after police thwarted a suspected terror attack targeting their mosque. He added that the incident has led to the community sharing their own experiences of harassment and feeling vulnerable as threats against Muslims rise locally.
“This has come out of the blue,” said Moin Uddin, of Sutton Central Masjid, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) after a 14-year-old boy was arrested last week in connection with the alleged plot to attack the place of worship on August 28.
“Recently we have been finding it quite difficult,” Moin told the LDRS, standing in the main prayer room of the Sutton Central Masjid on Carshalton Road. “People that used to stay quiet have started to come forward with their experiences.”
Moin, a treasurer at the masjid, said a doctor who attends the mosque for daily prayers told him about previous incidents of harassment after news of the arrest emerged. “He told me last night that one person chased him from Manor Park Road on his way to prayers at 4am. He said he was worried they were coming after him.”
Moin also said another member had reported being subjected to racist abuse and having objects thrown at him while cycling to the masjid.
The alleged plot has also affected how the mosque approaches new visitors. Moin said: “It has made us think twice about letting new people in,” although he stressed attendance had remained strong and “maybe only one or two have been affected” in terms of how often they visit.
According to Moin, the masjid was also targeted by several hate crimes a few years ago, including one incident where a brick was thrown at the building and another where a bin was set alight. He said both offenders were caught.
However, he believes the alleged planned attack on the masjid and nearby Islamic centre on Oakhill Road represents a serious escalation in hostility, if proven to be the case, towards the community and has left many questioning whether Sutton is still a safe place for them.
Referring to widely published reports last year which listed Sutton as the safest place to live in the UK, Moin said: “When we found that out, we sent it to people around the country. They congratulated me, but now this has happened.”
‘Extreme right-wing terrorism’
The 14-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was initially arrested at an address in South London on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle, where officers allege that they discovered “a number of documents of concern” linked to “extreme right-wing terrorism”, the Metropolitan Police said.
He denied the charges at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (July 16) and is due to appear at the Old Bailey in August.
Moin said he and the wider community were also shocked by the young age of the defendant and found the allegations difficult to comprehend, saying 14-year-olds “should be playing”.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley visited the masjid last Friday during prayers to reassure worshippers. Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said the alleged plot was among several similar incidents recently foiled by the Met, adding that the force had its “work cut out” amid ongoing terror threats targeting “many different communities”.
While Moin welcomed the support of police, including the anti-terrorism (ACT) training now being provided to the masjid, he said stronger legislation was also needed to tackle Islamophobia.
“Police patrols are good but they are not enough,” he told the LDRS.” “The government should take this seriously.”
He added: “If you ask Muslims anywhere in the country they will all say they do not feel safe at the moment. We need a dedicated anti-Islamophobia law in this country.”
Met Police figures show 1,636 anti-Muslim hate crime incidents were recorded across London in the past 12 months, up 31.4% on the previous year. In Sutton, 35 incidents were recorded, a 119% increase.
Following the news of the arrest, Sutton Council Leader Barry Lewis and the two local Lib Dem MPs released a statement, saying: “Sutton is a close-knit community and this news will be very worrying for all, but especially for those in our Muslim community.
“The council, elected representatives and community partners are working closely with the police to reassure our residents and those using our local mosques. This will include additional police patrols.
“We are proud of our diverse community in Sutton and now is the time to stand united against those who seek to divide and harm our community.”
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