Monday, 18th December 2023, in response to the alarming rise in Nitrous Oxide-related incidents, a mosque in Barking, London convened a public meeting to address the issue head-on.

The catalyst for this gathering was shocking incidents in the locality involving gas use, the first being when a member of Darul Ihsaan’s congregation was severely injured when a gas canister was thrown at them with their 5-year-old child, leaving her in the custody of members of the public the second where a car crashed and the occupant was still inhaling a balloon full of gas

The meeting was organised by Darul Ihsaan Barking and attended by representatives from the local authority and police.

In a proactive effort to combat the Nitrous Oxide issue, Darul Ihsaan Mosque launched specific projects at the event:

1. Advocacy for legislation: The mosque is actively calling for Public Places Safety Legislation (PPSL) to make it illegal to carry Nitrous Oxide in public, aiming to enhance community safety.

2. Educational Initiatives: Recognizing the importance of awareness, the mosque is committed to extensive education campaigns focused on Nitrous Oxide, ensuring that community members are well-informed about the risks associated with the drug.

3. Collaboration and partnership: Darul Ihsaan mosque will collaborate with the local authority and law enforcement to conduct walks aimed at identifying and addressing areas affected by the Nitrous Oxide epidemic, fostering community cooperation and safety.

Darul Ihsaan Barking would like to express their gratitude to the local police, especially PC Bacon, for their invaluable contributions in the meeting. Additionally, the mosque extends thanks to the dedicated members of the CGL (Change, Grow, Live) organization, with whom the mosque is eager to collaborate to educate the community about the dangers of Nitrous Oxide. Despite being unable to attend, Counsellor Ghani’s support was evident through the presence of the operations manager for enforcement at the meeting.

Imam Ammaar, from Darul Ihsaan Barking said “We acknowledge the urgency of addressing this epidemic and we are dedicated to working collaboratively with stakeholders to create a safer, more informed community.”