Masjid leaders from across Manchester are joining together to help the police tackle issues that affect the Muslim community.

The Masjid Forum is the first of its kind for Greater Manchester Police and includes more than 10 Imams and committee members from Longsight, Levenshulme, Whalley Range and Rusholme.
 
"This pioneering group is an important step forward," said Superintendent Paul Savill of the Manchester Metropolitan Division.  "There are multiple benefits for everyone involved.  Masjid leaders will find out about local policing issues while police officers will gain a better understanding of Islam and the concerns of local Muslims."

All masjids on the Metropolitan division - an area that stretches across inner south Manchester - are invited to send a representative to the meetings, held every three months at Longsight police station.

The group was set-up by Afzal Iqbal MBE, community and race relations officer, to strengthen links with the Muslim community and tackle sensitive issues such as hate crime.

"The forum may be in its early stages but we are already seeing positive results.  We have been invited to open days at local masjids and are learning how to serve the Muslim community more effectively."

Last week members of the forum were given reporting packs and posters to encourage worshippers to tell the police about hate crime.

Rabnawaz Akbar, committee member at Makki Masjid, Longsight said:  "We are pleased that this group has been set up as it gives us an opportunity to discuss important issues.  If we have any concerns or questions about local policing we can speak directly to police officers at these meetings."

*Note: Masjid is the Arabic word for mosque