Ministers in the UK are facing pressure to ease the application process for protective security funding available for mosques. Recent announcements from the Home Office included up to £40 million allocated for security measures such as CCTV, alarms, and fencing for mosques and Muslim community centres under the new Protective Security for Mosques Scheme. However, concerns have been raised about the stipulation that mosques must first prove they have been victims of hate crimes before they can access these funds, a requirement that some leaders argue leaves many places of worship exposed and vulnerable.

Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, highlighted the difficulties faced by mosques under the current scheme. She pointed out that the monitoring of Islamophobia has shown that many mosques do not report incidents of hate crime, which means they cannot apply for the necessary support. This issue was further underscored by a recent security incident at Manchester Central Mosque, where local police were called in to address a man armed with an axe and other weapons, highlighting the immediate need for improved safety measures in these communal spaces.

The calls to remove the precondition of having to prove previous hate crimes reflect an urgent demand for preemptive security provisions in an environment where many Muslim communities feel insecure. This change could potentially enhance the overall safety of mosques and community centres, facilitating better protection against the rising tide of Islamophobia and ensuring that funds are directed toward those who need it most, rather than being limited to post-incident applications.