Peterborough Mosques Tighten Security After Abuse Incident During Prayers
The incident occurred on 24 October at the Darassalaam Mosque on Alam Road, when a man entered the building during prayers and began shouting offensive comments. Footage circulated online shows him taunting worshippers and calling Islam “a death cult” before police arrived and detained him.
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that patrols around mosques in the city centre have since been stepped up.
The 57-year-old suspect was charged with religiously aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency worker, though he denied racially aggravated harassment and a racially aggravated public order offence. He is expected to return to court in November.
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In response, the city’s Joint Mosque Council announced new safety measures. Abdul Choudhuri, chairman of the Faizan-E-Medina Mosque and the council, said the decision to restrict opening times was not taken lightly but was necessary.
“For the safety of all of our worshippers — including women and children — we have to protect them,” he said. “Although these measures are not desirable, safety is paramount.”
Cambridgeshire Police Chief Inspector Steven Ashton said officers were maintaining “enhanced visible patrols” near all local mosques. He added that new hate crime reporting centres were being considered to strengthen communication with Muslim communities and other faith groups.
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Peterborough City Council said it was cooperating closely with police and mosque representatives. Council leader Shabina Qayyum told ITV News that she personally faced racist abuse but remained focused on unity.
“I represent all communities, of all faiths and none,” she said. “My job is to ensure people live together cohesively and in harmony.”
Authorities have urged calm and emphasized that any form of hate-motivated crime will be dealt with swiftly.
Source: Agencies
