Concerns raised as Glasgow mosque protest set to return

A demonstration outside a mosque in Glasgow <i>(Image: Fraser Wilson)</i>
A demonstration outside a mosque in Glasgow (Image: Fraser Wilson)
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A letter has been sent to politicians and police expressing concern over a planned protest at a mosque in Glasgow on Thursday.

The Al-Mahdi Islamic Centre on Albert Road has been the target of demonstrations every Thursday.

Protestors have waved Israeli and American flags, as well as the imperial flag of Iran, outside of the Shia place of worship.

It's understood a demonstration did not take place last week on Eid, but that a protest is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Ahead of that date, a joint letter has been sent to Graeme Hogg of Police Scotland, John Grady MP, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Anas Sarwar MSP, First Minister John Swinney, and Susanne Millar and Holly Bruce of Glasgow City Council.

The letter says: "We are writing to raise serious concerns about anti-Muslim protests being allowed to take place outside the Al-Mahdi Mosque on Albert Road in Glasgow, with another one planned on Thursday, March 26.

"This is wholly unacceptable, and there is no place for Islamophobia in our society.

"For several weeks, a group of mostly men brandishing Israeli, American, and Iranian royalist flags have been allowed to shout, swear, and exhibit obscene gestures at Muslims as they enter and leave the mosque.

"They even wave rats with nooses around their necks, sporting keffiyehs, a hateful image in relation to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians at the hands of Israel.

"The ugly scenes outside the mosque, a protected place of worship, and the blatant harassment of Muslim families and community members have been met with more deafening silence from politicians and authorities.

"Can you imagine any other faith being subjected to this and it being shrugged off as 'freedom of speech'?"

Concerns had previously been raised with the representatives by a constituent, who expressed their concern about the protests.

A representative for Mr Sarwar responded to the constituent, stating that representations had been made to Police Scotland on their behalf.

The representative attached the response.

Protestors outside the mosque in Glasgow's south sideProtestors outside the mosque in Glasgow's south side (Image: Fraser Wilson)

Inspector Graeme Hogg of the Greater Glasgow Division responded: "I fully understand your concerns around these protests and wish to assure you that we will take on board your concerns going forward however, as a rights-based organisation, there is a balance to be struck between the Human Rights of all impacted groups. That includes the rights of the protesters, counter protesters, and worshippers under Articles 9,10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and Article 8 rights of local residents.

"As with all protests, police have what is described as positive and negative duties meaning not only are we duty bound to allow it, but we are duty bound to ensure that they are not prevented from doing so by others. That said, one set of rights do not necessarily outweigh another and hence there is a balance to be struck.

"Prior to the protests we have considerable engagement with all parties, protestors, counter-protesters and the mosque itself by specialist officers. There are parameters set and agreed by all parties to ensure a balance of rights is met, including locations and conduct.

 "A proportionate police planning is in place for all protests to prioritise public safety whilst considering the above factors. Specialist officers are deployed to engage with all persons throughout, ensuring that the parameters previously agreed on are complied with.

"Following each protest, officers have engaged with all parties involved and there are no reports, or witnesses coming forward to report any form of offensive or abusive language.

"Above all we are aware of the wider community impact in terms of noise and traffic particularly in a residential area and will continue to include this in our considerations and discussions going forward and indeed these are considered on the day in terms of the duration of the protest.

"Thank you again for contacting us around your concerns and I trust that this explanation has gone some way to allay your concerns."

John Grady MP said: "Britain is a tolerant, multi-faith family of nations in which all faiths contribute toward creating a richer society.

"I would like to make it clear that I believe all forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right.

"It is essential that people can practice their religion free from fear.

"I will arrange a meeting with the local Police Scotland inspector to raise these specific concerns. Please be assured that I will continue to monitor developments closely."

Nicola Sturgeon's office said she had "raised your concerns with the local police".

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