As an imam, this is what I think British Muslims need to remember this Ramadan

We simply cannot take our security for granted anymore. The events of the past couple of years have proved this point. We need to work with the police, government agencies and bodies to ensure that our collective freedoms are protected

The reality is that not everything is as doom and gloom as it sounds (Getty)

As an imam and someone who works in the heart of Muslim communities, including within prisons, it is startling to see the way that the level of fear within our communities has grown over the past five years. This fear has worsened because of anti-Muslim hate incidents and attacks. This is particularly pertinent for visible Muslim women, who often bear the brunt of street attacks.

Over the past five years, incidents of anti-Muslim hate have risen significantly and there is a sense of victimisation that has seeped into communities. Some of this is based on incidents that have happened and some of it is about perception, fuelled on by groups who spread the malicious message that Islam itself is under threat.

The reality is that not everything is as doom and gloom as it sounds. There is social vibrancy and energy developing within Muslim communities. For example, young Muslim women are developing new businesses in the creative industry, becoming young filmmakers and social entrepreneurs, stepping away from the “old industries” and stereotypical careers of law, dentistry or medicine. In this cultural and social revolution of ideas, their engagement will change the face of British Islam and challenge the prejudiced views that some may hold.

I also see a religious revolution taking place. Young female Islamic theologians are challenging the religious space, asking for mosques to provide better facilities for Muslim women. Muslim women have historically been left to use poor facilities as they were often an afterthought in the planning of mosques. Today, more and more of these female theologians are also reclaiming the historical narrative of women being at the heart of Islam’s inception and development, thereby actively challenging the misogyny within some communities.

Yet, we cannot discuss the change happening within mosques without discussing the need for extra security around them. I have noticed the securitisation of mosques that has been creeping into place. Some mosques have even had to take extreme measures to ensure their safety. Mosques that were once open and accessible to members of the public now feel like they are embattled and located in conflict zones, with high fences, volunteers patrolling them and CCTV cameras at every corner. How did we reach this point of division and separation within the space of just five years?

As Ramadan approaches, I believe that Muslim communities can do a number of things to address the issues they now face. They can support organisations that are able to build the capacity of these communities to ensure safety and security through information, practical links and partnership. These can be built through community confidence. Many Muslims also give to international causes – while this is laudable, it’s time we supported local UK based community organisations that tackle hatred and intolerance. They are on the frontline of challenging intolerance on our doorstep.

We simply cannot take our security for granted anymore. The events of the past couple of years have proved this point. We need to work with the police, government agencies and bodies like Tell MAMA to ensure that our collective freedoms are protected.

Ramadan is a time for reflection, but it is also a time to redouble our efforts to protect all communities, including the most vulnerable. It is also a time to protect the most precious gift of all – the right for anyone in our country, to be who they want to be.

Imam Mamadou Bocoum graduated from the Muslim College and is a Muslim chaplain in the prison service. He also sits on a sharia council. Tell MAMA is a national project that measures anti-Muslim attacks in the UK.​ It is currently fundraising on GoFundMe to support safer Muslim communities throughout Ramadan