No to racism. Fight against cuts in Leicester.

Over a year ago an Islamic charity, As-Salaam, tried to buy a disused Scout Hut on Thurnby Lodge Estate in Leicester, intending to use it as a prayer room and community resource, for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It was initially told by the council, who own the land, that it had succeeded in the tendering process.

Thurnby Lodge is mainly a white estate, but has a growing Muslim community of Asian origin. An organisation was then set up by some local residents, called “Forgotten Estates” which campaigned against the Scout Hut going to the Muslim group and said they wanted it to be used for other purposes in the community. The leadership of this campaign included members of the English Defence League (EDL) who are a far right, racist organisation. The EDL have no real interest in defending local community facilities, but used the genuine feelings about community facilities of a wider layer of people on the estate to build some initial support.

As-Salaam suffered protests, threats and intimidation, the latest example being when a frozen pig’s head was left by the door of the community centre they currently use.

The response of the Labour Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby was to prevaricate. Months passed before a decision was reached on the fate of the Scout Hut, during which time members of the Muslim community had to endure daily racial abuse and harassment. This also impacted on others who used the community centre, such as the pensioners at the Bingo club.

Local Labour MP, Keith Vaz went even further and sided with the protestors, writing to the Mayor putting pressure on him not to grant the Scout Hut to the Muslim group. Finally, after months of inactivity, the Mayor appeared to propose a “solution”. As-Salaam were finally offered an alternative building, and the “Forgotten Estates” group have been given use of the Scout Hut rent free for the next two years. However, this apparent attempt to resolve the deadlock is not as even-handed as it seems. Instead of being given use of a building rent-free, As- Salaam have been asked to pay £192,000 upfront for a 150 year lease or alternatively £19,200 a year for 150 years! As-Salaam would be happy to compromise on the building, but they cannot afford this ludicrous figure. Unless the council can be forced to offer fair terms, the effect would be to force the Islamic minority out of their own community.

This week, members of Leicester Socialist Party attended a 60-strong public meeting to give support to people on the estate facing such harassment. There was a unanimous demand that As-Salaam be given suitable premises at an affordable rent. Socialist Party members proposed that we organise mass lobbies of the Mayor to achieve that. We pointed out the need to campaign against Labour cuts and to fight for decent community facilities for all the people in the area, regardless of their race or religion.

To build such a movement, we need to unite people from all backgrounds, to cut across the lies and racism of far-right groups like the EDL. With the support of Leicestershire Against the Cuts and the local trade union movement, we can create an alternative that argues that there is no need for cuts to community services and puts forward socialist ideas.

by Andrew Walton and Steve Score, Leicester Socialist Party