An Islamic group proposing a community centre in the abandoned Worcester Park Tavern have been “pleasantly surprised” by the feedback they received during a public consultation.
The police were poised and ready on Saturday for a rumoured protest at 2pm. However, the protest never took place and the Ismaili community say the majority of people who turned up on Friday and Saturday wanted to engage with them.
Shaheen Verjee, 34, is a member of the Ismaili community in north London, attends the Ismaili community centre in Finchley, and runs her own clothing business.
As a community volunteer she helped in both events and said: “On the whole we were pleasantly surprised. There were obviously a few people who came in having made up their mind and some people who quite clearly said ‘I don’t like Islam and I don’t want you here’ but that was very few.
“The main concerns that came up were about traffic and parking. People were also keen to understand to what extent it will be available to the local community. We were very keen to say people are happy to come to our centre.
“We are trying to make clear we are a very open community – we do believe in being inclusive.”