Tunbridge Wells mosque throws open doors to forge links

A mosque in Tunbridge Wells is planning to hold an open day in an effort to forge links with the wider community after a “damaging” period following the murder of Lee Rigby, the Kent and Sussex Courier reports. The Tunbridge Wells Islamic and Cultural Association has announced plans to hold an open day on August 18 throwing open its doors to the general public for the very first time.

Following the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in May, Muslims, Islamic centres and mosques throughout the country have been subject to abuse and attacks. Mohammed Uddin, general secretary of the Tunbridge Wells mosque, said he hopes the open day will help to combat the negative perceptions people have about Islam.

He said: “It’s been very frustrating,”

“Islam is very clear about its objectives and how it benefits the community, so when we see such crime committed in the name of religion, it’s very damaging – and not representative of Islam in any way, shape or form. We condemn that kind of act.

“It kind of hijacks the true Islamic value and can be very misleading, and the public get this misconception.”

He said the open day had been in the planning for some time and that it would offer the wider public a great opportunity to visit and ask questions.

“We have a lot of work to do from the bottom up to break those barriers and perceptions, and let people come, have a look, talk to people who represent Islam and ask questions directly,” he said.

“On a local level, people can bring concerns or questions.”

Mr Uddin said that since the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby there had been one incident at the mosque, when a drunken man abused the congregation, but it had been quickly dealt with by police.

The Tunbridge Wells mosque is hoping the centre will be used for other local gatherings, including surgeries by local MP, Greg Clark, and police surgeries, as recently piloted in Southampton.

The open day planned by the Tunbridge Wells mosque is similar the other initiatives that have been taking place recently throughout the country. In May, a mosque in York offered tea and biscuits to EDL supporters as they protested outside the mosque. And days after a mosque in Redditch was vandalised again, the mosque committee announced an open day.

The Tunbridge Wells Islamic and Cultural Association will be open to members of the public between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday 18 August.