100 signatures reached
To: Tower Hamlets Council
Pandemic Rent Relief for Places of Worship and Community Centres
We, the undersigned, call upon the Tower Hamlets Council to provide immediate rent-relief to all local authority and housing association mosques; all relevant places of worship/faith; and community centres during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic - for a minimum of 3 months. This only applies to sites that are rented by, managed or controlled by the Council or its Housing Associations on which the Council and its decision-makers sit or have considerable influence.
Why is this important?
Following the Government advice, all masjids and other faith-building and community centres are closed due to COVID-19 to help stop the spread of the contagion in the community and society at large; to support social distancing for medical reasons; and to make all necessary efforts to safeguard people; flatten the curve and to fight this virus.
Most local community masjids and other faith institutions rely on voluntary donations from the regular congregation and attendees to survive and carry on – obviously, that is not possible in the current circumstances. These places help the community regardless of circumstances and challenges but also provide a place of comfort, solace supporting the well-being and welfare of its attendees and others. Under the COVID-19 challenge, these very places of worship are under increasing pressure to support the vulnerable in their locality and beyond. The rent-relief, only for the duration of this pandemic - a national emergency - will help the places of worship, faith and community centres.
We urge the Council and decision-makers to support these local places in Tower Hamlets - and ask other local authorities across the country to follow this course of action urgently. We must bring everyone together and do whatever is necessary to support the community, support the vulnerable and fight the COVID-19 virus.
Thank you for your time and support.
