29. Third, he works closely with the police. Since 2007, he has been a member of the Independent Advisory Group to Lewisham Police which advises the police on local issues, especially those relating to the Muslim community. He represents the LIC in the Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Hate Crime Working Group which includes a cross-section of people from Lewisham, including a member of the LGBT community. On 21st October 2014 the Claimant participated in the LIC’s hosting of a visit by the Safer Neighbourhood Team from the Metropolitan Police Service, led by a police inspector. Since 2007, the Claimant has worked in gang mediation and mediated between the opposing ‘Shower Gang’ and ‘Anti-Shower Gang’. He was a member of the Lewisham Community Police Consultative Group (LCPCG) from 2005 until December 2009. The LCPCG AGM Report for 2005/2006 included the following statement by the Claimant: “Lewisham is home to a sizeable and growing vibrant Muslim community. Our Islamic Centre is attended by people from diverse backgrounds which, to me at least, is reflective of Lewisham itself. Unfortunately, in the current climate it is all too easy for the average person to subconsciously think that a Muslim is a synonym for a terrorist. It is our aim with the help of bodies and organisations such as LCPCG, the Metropolitan Police Service in Lewisham and Lewisham Council to endeavour to educate people in the London Borough of Lewisham against this misconception. As Imam of Lewisham Islamic Centre, I hold myself accountable to educating and cultivating my congregation and doing my utmost to ensure that my congregation lives up to the standards set by our religion so that we can live together in a cohesive pluralistic society. As our Creator reminds us in the Qur’an by saying: “We have made you into different nations and tribes not for you to despise one another but for you to know one another” (chapter 49:13). 30. Fourth, the Claimant is a member of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (“SACRE”) in the London Borough of Lewisham. It advises the council in connection with matters concerning religious education. On 22 nd October 2014, he attended a meeting called in order to discuss the radicalisation of young people in Lewisham. The minutes of the SACRE meeting record his and the chair’s feeling that “SACRE and the Mosque should work together to support members of the Muslim community, parents and schools so that issues of radicalisation can be tackled openly and in a timely fashion.” The Claimant also offered to give personal support to anyone who needed help in this regard. 31. Fifth, the Claimant participates in community campaigns, including, for e.g., in 2013 the ‘Save Lewisham Hospital’ campaign. He also supports LIC’s mission to provide food to London’s homeless once a month, and works as a volunteer Muslim Chaplain at the University Hospital Lewisham (and previously at Goldsmiths). 32. Sixth, the Claimant has helped to organise and participate in regular visits to the LIC by local schools and is regularly invited to speak at schools in Lewisham and Kent. Testimonials 7