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The Muslim Safety Forum (MSF) was formed by some leading concerned Muslim organisation following 9/11 and subsequent unfair focus on the Muslim community when it came to policing activities and enforcement of anti- terror policing legislations. This decision was taken as the Muslim community will not suffer in silence and allow misconceptions, prejudice and ignorance to influence the policing activities in the UK. Consequently the MSF came into existence in the year 2000 and had been scrutinizing police activities that have been particularly affecting the Muslim community.
In 2004 the MSF developed it’s own constitution, held election for chair and executive committee. It now has a dedicated office with two employed staff, a voluntary executive body, and a membership of over 30 national and regional Muslim organisations.
The MSF is now the key advisory body for the Police Service and has signed a working protocol with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to build better police / community relations. It has been advising the police on matters of safety and security from the Muslim perspective.
It meets on a monthly basis with senior representatives of ACPO and the MPS, the MPA (metropolitan police authority), Home Office and the IPCC (independent police complaints commission), CPS amongst others.
The MSF has been sitting on the strategic Stop and Search group, as per the MPA scrutiny panel recommendation, and has raised issues concerning stop and search and in particular the use of s.44 powers under the 2005 terrorism act.
Furthermore MSF have undertaken a significant TV, Radio and Press interviews covering local, national and international media. The messages have been of unity, justice, safety, security and a 'zero tolerance' response from the police against Islamophobic crimes.
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