PRESS RELEASE

5 May 2020

MCB launches consultation on keeping Muslim institutions safe post-lockdown

The UK Government is looking at how best to begin partially lifting the lockdown measures, which we hope will include clear guidance deciding on when and how to reopen places of worship.

The MCB has begun consulting mosques, madrasas, medical experts and members of Muslim communities across the UK on whether, contingent on UK Government advice, they feel it is safe to partially re-open mosques and Islamic centres, and if they do, how to do so without putting anyone at risk of a second wave.

Commenting, Harun Khan, Secretary General of the MCB, said:

“There is some evidence that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority communities, and many have lost loved ones or know someone who has lost a loved one to the coronavirus. It is essential that any partial lifting of the lockdown is done in a safe and sensible way that does not put communities – particularly ones that have already been hard hit like ours – at risk. 

“We want to make sure the views and public health concerns of mosque leaders, heads of madrasas and community members are understood and taken into account by public health bodies. The MCB will also incorporate these views into guidance to help communities prepare for next steps in line with public health advice.

“We call on all mosque management members to take the survey to ensure our views are able to be heard, and our communities protected.”

ENDS