“We Do Not Feel Safe in the UK Right Now. We Need a Dedicated Anti-Islamophobia Law,”- Muslim Man Says

Members of Sutton’s Muslim community say they are feeling shocked and worried after police stopped what they believe was a planned terror attack against a local mosque. The incident has left many worshippers feeling unsafe and has encouraged people to speak openly about harassment and abuse they have experienced in recent years.

Moin Uddin, a leading member and treasurer at Sutton Central Masjid, said the news came as a complete surprise. Speaking after a 14-year-old boy was arrested over an alleged plot targeting the mosque on August 28, he said many members of the community are now sharing incidents they had previously kept to themselves.

According to Moin, people who had remained silent for years are now speaking about the abuse they have faced because they no longer feel they can ignore it. He said the atmosphere has become more worrying for Muslims living in the area, with many feeling increasingly vulnerable.

One doctor who attends the mosque for daily prayers told Moin that he had once been chased while walking to the mosque at around 4am along Manor Park Road. The doctor said he feared the person was targeting him because he was on his way to pray. Another worshipper also reported being racially abused while cycling to the mosque, with objects allegedly thrown at him during the incident.

The alleged terror plot has also changed the way the mosque welcomes new visitors. Moin admitted that members now think more carefully before allowing unfamiliar people into the building. Although he said attendance at prayers has remained strong, the incident has made the community more cautious than before.

He also recalled earlier attacks on the mosque. A few years ago, someone threw a brick at the building, while another incident involved a rubbish bin being deliberately set on fire outside the mosque. He said police caught those responsible, but believes the latest alleged plot represents a much more serious level of hostility if the allegations are proven in court.

Moin said many Muslims are now questioning whether Sutton is still as safe as they once believed. He remembered how the area had previously been praised as one of the safest places to live in the UK, and members of the community proudly shared that news with friends and family around the country. He said it is painful that such serious allegations have now emerged.

The Metropolitan Police said the 14-year-old suspect was first arrested at a South London address on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle. During the investigation, officers said they found documents linked to alleged extreme right-wing terrorism. Because of his age, the boy cannot be identified. He denied the charges at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and is expected to appear before the Old Bailey in August.

The age of the suspect has also deeply shocked the local Muslim community. Moin said it is difficult to understand how someone so young could become involved in such serious allegations, adding that children of that age should be enjoying their childhood rather than being connected to terrorism investigations.

Following the arrest, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley visited Sutton Central Masjid during Friday prayers to reassure worshippers and show support for the community. He said police had recently stopped several similar alleged terror plots and warned that many different communities continue to face security threats.

Moin welcomed the extra support from police, including counter-terrorism training being provided to the mosque, but said more needs to be done. He believes increased police patrols alone will not solve the problem and called on the government to introduce stronger laws to tackle Islamophobia.

He said many Muslims across the country no longer feel completely safe and argued that Britain should introduce specific legislation to deal with anti-Muslim hatred. In his view, stronger legal protection is needed alongside police action to make communities feel secure again.

Official figures from the Metropolitan Police show that anti-Muslim hate crime reports across London have risen significantly over the past year. More than 1,600 incidents were recorded, representing an increase of over 31%. In Sutton alone, 35 anti-Muslim hate crime incidents were reported, more than doubling compared with the previous year.

After news of the arrest became public, Sutton Council Leader Barry Lewis and the area’s two Liberal Democrat MPs issued a joint statement saying the allegations would understandably cause concern, especially within the Muslim community. They said the council, police and community organisations are working together to reassure residents, with additional police patrols being introduced around local mosques. They also stressed that Sutton is proud of its diverse population and said the community should stand together against anyone who tries to spread fear, hatred or division.