As-salāmu ʿalaykum.
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
The Centre extends its sincere thanks to all those who attended and participated respectfully in the event. We are grateful for the overwhelmingly peaceful and dignified manner in which the occasion was observed.
However, we are disappointed that a small number of individuals, upon leaving the Centre and whilst outside the main hall and reception area, played a provocative and disrespectful chant and raised slogans in breach of the applicable guidance and attendance requirements.
We understand that there may have been groups outside of the Centre who protested and caused some upset to attendees.
Even so, the conduct of those individuals in the Centre’s grounds undermined the solemnity of the occasion and showed disregard for the approximately two thousand and five hundred attendees who had gathered in reflection and prayer. Although the incident lasted only a few seconds, these events detracted from the dignity of the religious mourning.
During this incident, a member of staff who sought to intervene was pushed and assaulted. This matter has been reported to the relevant authorities.
The Centre remains committed to ensuring that such occasions are conducted with the utmost respect, unity, and reflection they are intended to embody. This incident, although brief, did not align with the Centre’s expectations.
