�鶹��

Available for over a year

Good morning. As places of worship re-open next week I’ve been reassured by the conversations that have been taking place to get us to this point. I’ve been in online meetings with Government officials, alongside people of all faiths. I welcome and really appreciate the effort that has been put in by people from all places of worship to help us come out of this period of uncertainty and to transition smoothly, keeping worshippers and their families and all our communities, as safe as possible. And while I know that the practicalities of where to put the hand sanitiser and how to manage the shoe racks are important, I want us to look broader than that. From 1400 years ago when the first Mosque was built, it was always meant to be a place that was inclusive, where everyone felt at home, where people felt safe and welcome. And as we come out of this first lockdown, I’d like us to re-imagine what our Mosques can be now. In our towns and cities, mental health challenges and financial concerns are very real. People need guidance and practical support. Children need help keeping up with schoolwork and revising for exams. Carers need safe places to go for respite and support. Those with special needs should feel welcome and cared for. None of this is out of reach for Mosques to facilitate and provide, if management committees can be willing to explore how to open up and utilise the human resource coming into their buildings to pray every week. I believe that in every congregation of every Mosque in the country, there are skills and talents that are not being utilised enough. We need to see beyond the neat prayer lines, we need to look to the hearts and lives of the people who may or may not be coming through the doors. Sometimes Mosques can feel like clubs that are exclusive only for some, run and managed by a few, often only men. I know we can do better than that. What are the local needs? How can we create hubs in our communities that are helpful, useful and practical, as well as spiritual? How can Muslims learn from what other faith communities do? I hope these last few months have given us the pause we needed and now, with renewed energy and sincere intentions we can re-imagine what our beloved places of worship can become, places of welcome for everyone. As the poet Rumi famously said “Come, come, whoever you are”. We must welcome those who are regular attendees, but also, those who have never been through the door before.