Waltham Forest Council has pledged to enhance the safety and security of its Muslim community following an Islamophobic attack outside the Noor Ul Islam mosque, with councillors unanimously condemning the incident and outlining specific steps to address concerns.
During a full council meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026, councillors also reaffirmed the council's commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary
and protecting residents from discrimination. The meeting agenda and public reports pack can be found here.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Perkins, stated that the council, alongside partners, is taking practical steps to ensure that all members of the Muslim community feel safe, protected, and supported across the borough. These steps include reinforcing the condemnation of the attack and reiterating that Waltham Forest will never tolerate Islamophobic attacks or attacks on any individuals for who they are for their identities.
Councillor Perkins assured the chamber that the council would continue to meet with representatives from the Muslim community, anti-racist organisations, people of faith and none, and other vulnerable groups. These ongoing discussions aim to examine how to ensure Waltham Forest is safe and how services are safe to access. Furthermore, the council is applying an anti-racist lens to its policies and considering what it truly means to be a borough of sanctuary
moving forward.
Waltham Forest is a place that will never tolerate Islamophobic attacks or attacks on any individuals for who they are for their identities,
Councillor Perkins stated. The council is actively reviewing its policies to ensure they reflect an anti-racist approach, examining how services are safe to access and how the council can best support all residents.
The council's commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary
was a key theme, with discussions focusing on its practical implications for residents and services. The minutes of the previous meeting are available here.
