We met with a member of Al-Emaan Centre with prior experience working as a prison chaplain. He spoke about the different ways that his Mosque offers supports to people leaving prison and showed how some guidance can make such a difference to a person’s resettlement.
About My Mosque
Al-Emaan Centre is a mosque and community centre in Bromley, with at least 600 people attending on Fridays. We decided to register with The Welcome Directory in 2022 because I was a prison chaplain at the time and I understood the importance of resettlement after prison.
Supporting Prison Leavers
Over the years, prison chaplains and probation have signposted many people to us. In one instance, I helped a young prison leaver move his probation contact to be closer to us so that he could attend our mosque more regularly. He then spent the whole of Ramadan with us. I have also mentored about 8 prison leavers regularly over the years and supported their personal development.
The mosque will also pay for counselling for recipients of zakat (a yearly donation Muslims give to those in need) and prison leavers.
Making a Difference
The young prison leaver that I mentioned felt connected to a new community and now has a better circle of friends as a result. He occasionally pops in so I know he’s not returned to prison. I think we helped him out. Prison leavers who I’ve mentored still come and see me and tell me it was impactful for them at that time. This is important for me.
A Good Welcome is …
A non-judgemental, sincere welcome. A welcome that you’d give to welcome any other person into the community. A sincere welcome... “this is your mosque”. It shouldn’t include “Where have you been? What were you there for?” It should include “How can we help?” A buddy, or a point of contact is also important.
Thank you to Shaffiq Din of Al Emaan Centre for sharing your time and story with us and for the difference you are making for people who have left prison.
Disclaimer: This case study represents the individual’s views, not the views of theirorganisation
