How London Central Mosque is breaking down Covid vaccine barriers this Ramadan


Layla Maghribi
  • English
  • Arabic

On a crisp and sunny morning, people gather in a large but socially distanced circle in the courtyard of one of London’s best-known mosques.

All wear face masks but there is little else to give away that this group comprises doctors, medical students and volunteers who hold weekly vaccine pop-up clinics as part of a ‘community immunity’ effort.

With the hours ticking down to Ramadan 2021, there’s a doubled sense of purpose at the heart of London Central Mosque.

Dr Yasmin Razak is a GP and the clinical director of Neohealth Primary Care Network in north-west London. The group provides access, information and care to the vulnerable and underserved segments of society within familiar settings.

“The principle, really, is that patients need to have conversations and safe, trusted spaces with our specialist clinicians on hand to answer their questions because, as we know from the news, there are lots of fears and worries around the vaccine,” she says.

Dr Razak says it’s important to provide opportunity for people to have the private conversations they need to make an informed decision, which she hopes will be to have the vaccine.

The group has held two clinics at the mosque, near Regent’s Park, already and will hold more during Ramadan, after sunset when Muslims have broken their fast.

“There will be people who are still needing their first dose in Ramadan – we still recommend them to come forward,” Dr Razak says.

She counsels patients to drink water before and after they are inoculated to stay hydrated and avoid a fever, a possible side effect of the vaccine.

The group has run clinics in other religious sites including a synagogue, a gurdwara and a church. Dr Razak says the team want to extend their reach to the most marginalised, including undocumented migrants and homeless people.

“I do think there may be some more mistrust among certain communities, because of historical structural inequalities that exist in our system. And this is a way to overcome those barriers and challenges and really engage properly with our communities and build up those relationships that are so vital to positive health outcomes,” Dr Razak says.

It was really nice of the government to arrange something located with the Muslim community inside the mosque. I think this is really good
Mayada Hilal

The UK’s vaccine programme has progressed steadily, with about half the population, nearly 32 million people, having had their first dose.

The success of the inoculation campaign has been helped by large inoculation clinics run at pace with upwards of 1,000 patients a day.

But Dr Razak says not everyone can navigate the online booking systems. Others haven’t been notified  by their family doctor that they are eligible for the vaccine.

The group’s community-centred approach offers trusted conversations which are important in sections of society where vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are prevalent.

“I think people don’t just go away with a jab in their arm, they go away with a really positive energy about what the National Health Service can do for them and what society, when we come together, can actually do. I think that’s the beauty of the vaccine programme,” Dr Razak says of the immunity community group’s impact on public perception.

Mayada Hilal, 39, after receiving her vaccine at the London Central Mosque during a pop-up vaccination drive. Mark Chilvers for The National
Mayada Hilal, 39, after receiving her vaccine at the London Central Mosque during a pop-up vaccination drive. Mark Chilvers for The National

Comfort, safety and peace of mind were sentiments echoed by Ibrahim Mohamed, 41, and his wife Mayada Hilal, 39, both of whom were vaccinated at the mosque at the same time.

The couple have a son with underlying health conditions so, despite his fear of needles, Mr Mohamed, who is a manager at a supermarket chain, was happy to be immunised.

When they heard the mosque was running a clinic, they found it quick, easy and comfortable to book their appointments there.

"We were feeling safe with the NHS – we trust them in anything. But of course, to be in the mosque, it's a comfort zone for us. And it was really nice from the government to arrange something located with the Muslim community inside the mosque. I think this is really good," Ms Hilal tells The National after receiving her shot.

After a period of unemployment, Nimpuno Dewantoro, 51, found a cleaning job two months ago and hasn’t had the time to book or make a vaccination appointment with his GP. When he saw on social media that the mosque was running a clinic at the weekend, he grasped the opportunity.

That some of the volunteers speak languages other than English helps build confidence among some of those who have turned up and also creates meaningful connections with local residents.

Ibrahim Mohamed, 41, said he was afraid of needles but was happy to be immunised at a place that was familiar to him and where he felt comfortable. Mark Chilvers for The National
Ibrahim Mohamed, 41, said he was afraid of needles but was happy to be immunised at a place that was familiar to him and where he felt comfortable. Mark Chilvers for The National

“One of the most important parts of coming out to a community centre, rather than doing it in a hospital, is giving our community the opportunity to lead themselves on delivery of service,” Dr Razak says.

The programme also provides education, training and employment, she says. Oliver Porteous, 21, is a third-year medical student at Imperial College London and has volunteered at Dr Razak's clinic every week for months. He is normally a vaccinator but is doing the final check-out of patients at the doors to the mosque when The National speaks to him.

“I like the community pop-ups because for a lot of patients the hospital is intimidating, whereas people are calmer here and this environment helps to tackle hesitancy,” Mr Porteous says.

Some of the volunteers were themselves initially worried about taking the vaccine, before they joined the community group and their fears were assuaged. One in particular, Sarah, 18, now wants to study medicine after volunteering as a vaccinator.

Given the positive reception so far, the mosque will keep its doors open for vaccinations throughout Ramadan, when Dr Razak and her team will be back again for an evening surgery after sunset.

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.