This initiative comes in the wake of a “pro-UK rally” against “illegal mass immigration” held in George Square on Saturday, September 7, Glasgow Times reported.

During the Mosque Open Day, visitors will have the chance to explore the mosque, learn about Islamic culture, and view the “Islam and the Scots – the Historical Links” exhibition.

The exhibition highlights the deep-rooted historical connections between Scotland and the Muslim world. Refreshments will also be provided, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.

The event is designed for all ages and is part of Al-Furqan Islamic Centre’s ongoing commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation within the local community.

Through this open day, the center aims to break down misconceptions about Islam, encourage dialogue, and strengthen relationships in Glasgow’s diverse society.

Unity

Haq Ghani, the outreach coordinator for Al-Furqan Islamic Centre, emphasized the importance of such events in promoting unity.

“In a world where misunderstandings can create division, our ‘Visit my Mosque’ day is a chance to bring people together,” he said.

“Our mosque is not only a place of worship but a place of community, learning, and friendship. We invite everyone to visit, ask questions, and share in the values of respect and unity that we all hold dear.”

The Al-Furqan Islamic Centre hopes the Mosque Open Day will serve as a positive step towards building bridges and reinforcing bonds within the local community.

Mosques in the UK have been holding open days for their local communities for decades.

The national initiative #VisitMyMosque kicked off in February 2015, with about 20 mosques participating.

Held under the auspices of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the initiative grew to over 250 mosques last year.

Now, MPs and politicians take part in the initiative, including the PM, the Leader of the Opposition, and London Mayor.

Source: About Islam

It comes amid a 365 percent surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents across the UK since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

She said: “There’s been an explosion of Islamophobia since October 7 – but there’s also a huge underreporting of the issue.”

“In my constituency, people report it to me but not the police. They kind of just put it down to the price you pay for being a Muslim in this country, (but) reporting is then what drives police policy, social policy and potential legislation. We all have a role to play.”

Ms Mahmood made the comments after the recent screening of HIJABI, a documentary created by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, Samir Mehanovic, at the House of Commons.

The documentary charts the journeys of five British women who choose to wear the hijab and their experiences of Islamophobia in the UK and was unveiled to mark the International Day To Combat Islamophobia and International Women’s Day.

The heartwrenching story of a Muslim grandmother left devastated after an Islamophobic attack by teenagers and forced to flee Britain formed part of the testimonies heard in the film.

During a panel discussion after the screening, Ms Mahmood, who has been MP for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010, added: “Islamophobia has passed the dinner party test – it’s seen as acceptable. This is not just a Muslim problem, it should be addressed by all of society.”

According to Tell Mama, an organization dedicated to fighting Islamophobia, 65 percent of all incidents target women, with those who wear a hijab or niqab especially vulnerable.

Lee Anderson, the former Tory deputy chairman, was suspended from his party last month after accusing Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, of being controlled by Islamists.

Mr Anderson has refused to apologise for the remarks despite Rishi Sunak, Britain’s first Asian prime minister, labelling them “wrong”.

Speaking after the screening, Labour MP Afzal Khan said: “With Islamophobic hate crime having trebled since October and senior members of the Conservative Party spouting Islamophobia through the media in recent weeks, there has never been a more pressing time to listen to the testimonies of visibly Muslim women in Britain.

A government spokesperson told The Independent: “British Muslim women make a huge contribution to the United Kingdom and in strengthening the ties that bind our country together.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practising their religion and we take a zero-tolerance approach to anti-Muslim hatred.

“We expect the police to fully investigate all hate crimes and work with the Crown Prosecution Service to make sure the cowards who commit these abhorrent offences feel the full force of the law.”

Shaista Aziz, who was among the first Labour councillors to resign in protest over Keir Starmer’s response to the Gaza attacks said: “When it comes to Islamophobia, there’s rightly lots of focus on the government and what is they are doing and not doing. There’s no focus though, on the man who wants to become the next leader of this country: Keir Starmer.”

A recent poll by HOPE not Hate revealed that 58 percent of Conservative Party members think Islam is a threat to the British way of life while Labour’s support amongst British Muslims has plummeted amid major concerns about Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the Gaza war.

London-based charity Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) reports that many Islamophobia incidents have involved people being targeted over their support for Palestine, as the Israel-Hamas war spirals on.

Source: The Independent