Zara Mohammed, the leader of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), has urged the Labour government to reconsider its policy of non-engagement with the organization. This appeal comes amid concerns over the safety of Muslim communities during recent civil unrest.
Mohammed, who became the MCB's first female secretary general in 2021, expressed disappointment at the lack of communication with the government during a period when Muslims and mosques were targeted in summer disturbances. She noted that Labour's shadow cabinet had previously collaborated with the MCB while in opposition, including a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in 2021 to discuss Muslim community engagement.
However, since assuming office, Starmer has reportedly not responded to attempts to address the threats faced by Muslims during the riots. Mohammed, whose term concludes in January 2025, expressed hope that the government would reassess its approach to the MCB, an umbrella organization representing over 500 affiliated members.
The Conservative government's policy of non-engagement with the MCB has been maintained by Labour. On August 1, 2024, Communities Minister Alex Norris confirmed that there had been "no change" to this stance. While the current administration has not provided specific reasoning, it referenced past MCB leadership positions that conflicted with "fundamental values" and had not been explicitly retracted.
This policy stems from a 2009 incident involving a former MCB deputy secretary general who endorsed a document advocating attacks on the Royal Navy if it attempted to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas in Gaza. The Labour government at that time suspended engagement until the individual resigned.
"I'm hopeful [...] that the Government will review the former position and will look at offering a position of clarity as to why [they are not engaging], and having a conversation with us."
Mohammed emphasized the importance of the MCB as a representative body for the Muslim community, similar to those of other faith groups, and its role in addressing policy issues and national representation.
In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government affirmed that the government maintains regular communication with faith communities. During the recent unrest, the Minister for Faith engaged with Muslim community representatives through multiple roundtables and visits to places of worship.
The MCB, founded in 1997, has been involved in various initiatives including interfaith dialogue, community cohesion, and efforts to combat Islamophobia. However, it has also faced criticism and internal challenges over the years. As the organization continues to advocate for better representation of Muslims in British media and politics, the current impasse with the government remains a significant hurdle in its efforts to address the concerns of the Muslim community in the UK.