“Safe Streets Now” West Midlands Wide Mosques Campaign to Combat Reckless Driving

In the face of an alarming series of deaths and serious injuries on the streets of the region, and an urgent need for change, over a dozen mosques across the West Midlands are collaborating to raise awareness of reckless driving, alongside other community groups through the “Safe Streets Now” campaign.

This joint initiative is a response to the pressing need to address reckless driving and advocate for safer roads in Birmingham and a shared commitment to protecting lives. Local mosques are throwing their weight behind a grass-roots campaign in which community groups across the UK will gather to call for urgent action to tackle dangerous driving. The mosques’ initiative was launched in response to a series of deaths and serious injuries in Birmingham earlier this year. Having campaigned actively on dangerous driving for years, mosques saw an opportunity to amplify and support the city-wide campaign which prompted a coordinated response by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Police (WMP), Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Mayor and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle the issue and avoid further deaths and serious injuries. When the city wide campaign, Better Streets for Birmingham, linked with others across the UK for a national day of action under the banner Safe Streets Now, we saw an opportunity to join together in support of it.

In the UK, every 16 minutes, a life is forever altered due to reckless driving. Sadly this year, Birmingham saw an increase in reckless driving, with a direct impact on local mosques and the communities they serve. Among other things, it caused the Police to request dashcam footage for evidence. The ‘Safe Streets Now’ campaign presses for further action of this sort, calling for:

PEACE from the threat of antisocial driving

SPACE to walk, cycle and play without fear

JUSTICE for the victims of road violence

Mosques across the West Midlands back the Police request that drivers send them their footage of dangerous and careless drivers, hopefully leading to fixed penalties, court summons, warnings or education for poor or dangerous driving – and join others in Safe Streets Now in calling for further action to enable our communities to enjoy peace from the threat of dangerous and antisocial driving through our communities.

Mustafa Hussein, an Imam at Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre, commented:

“This collaborative effort is not just a civic responsibility; it’s a moral duty grounded in our shared values. In our faith, we are taught that life is sacred. We urge everyone to consider the consequences of your actions, be responsible drivers and keep our roads safer.”

Mat MacDonald, Co-ordinator – Safe Streets Now said:

“Safety is a fundamental human need, and our responsibility not to endanger others is a moral obligation. Behind the wheel of a vehicle, where a moment’s anger, inattention or impatience can create a very real threat to life, this is all too easy to overlook. The endorsement of our campaign by community leaders is a crucial reminder of the duty we owe one another on the roads. We are honoured that they have added their wisdom and insight to the growing call for safe streets across the country.”

The campaign aims to promote responsible driving and safer roads while emphasising the sanctity of life and our moral duty to protect it. It will involve various activities and outreach efforts designed to engage and educate the community on the importance of road safety including Friday sermons delivered widely throughout West Midlands’ mosques with thousands in attendance and a comprehensive social media outreach strategy that has combined views in tens of thousands.

The Quran reminds us, “And whoever saves one [life] – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” By collectively embracing these principles, partner mosques aspire to foster safer roads where fear is replaced with peace, and the lives of fellow citizens are treasured and safeguarded.

Join us in making our streets safer and protecting lives.

Joint Mosques and Islamic Organisations

Abrahamic Foundation

Al Abbas Islamic Centre Birmingham – Balsall Heath, Birmingham

Mohammadi Masjid Alum Rock

Al Hijrah Mosque

Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre

Islamwise

Exhibition Islam

Birmingham Central Mosque

Jami Mosque and Islamic Centre, Birmingham

Mahmudsabir Masjid