Mosque offers ‘safe space’ to tackle knife crime

A MOSQUE has opened its doors to young people in a bid to tackle knife crime in Bristol as its chair bemoaned the lack of youth centres and provisions available for teenagers in the city.

Abdul Malik, who is the chair of the trustees at Easton Jamia Mosque, was one of the co-signees of our Together for Change campaign to fight knife crime in Bristol.

He wants the mosque to be welcoming to young people and ensure vulnerable people are off the streets and away from the dangers of knife crime.

Mr Malik said: “We have had a spate of knife crime recently and we have been talking about this in the mosque about what we can do.

“There is a deficit in provision for youths in our community and the mosque being the unique building we have, it is really important we reach out to youths, provide services and activities that are beneficial to the kids.

“Whenever something happens in the community, we always think about how we can try to talk to our kids and get them to stay away from trouble.

“I feel that with the deficit in provisions for youths, it is really important that organisations and communities provide a safe place for children and teenagers that are vulnerable to anti-social behaviour on the streets due to the fact they have no jobs or in a circle of friends that want to hang out on the streets. We should be able to provide a safe space for them to talk and hang out. It is religious but there is no reason why we cannot accommodate them, play games, support them and offer talks and advice.”

As a magistrate, Abdul has heard cases involving knives and understands why people carry weapons. He has also confiscated a number of knives from children and believed carrying a blade can escalate a situation which can have serious and fatal consequences.

He said: “The first question to children is what makes you want to carry a knife and when you get into an argument, are you going to pull on it? Are you not making yourself vulnerable as the next man may have one?

“If you don’t have a knife, they do, you put your hands up. They may rob you or push you over, but you are not going to be seriously hurt or injured with a knife.”

Mr Malik wants the mosque to regularly host drop-ins for children to socialise, speak with role models and learn life skills.

Abdul Malik > Easton Jamia Mosque in Bristol wants to create a safe place for young people to gather to socialise, play games and get support from figures at the mosque. Inset, Abdul Malik