A mosque leader has spoken of how Muslim and Asian communities in Slough have weathered threats of racist violence over decades to make Slough their home.

Muhammad Afzal – chairman of the Jamia Ghousia mosque – said members of the congregation had asked if the mosque would put on extra security following racist riots seen nationally across Britain.

Mr Afzal told the Observer: “A lot of people have shown their concern that the mosque needs protection, so I’ve been thinking about how to do it. I’ll speak to Thames Valley Police and tell people that they need to take care when they come to pray.”

But Mr Afzal also said the community and police had looked after themselves and the mosque for decades during periods when Asian communities faced racism and violence. He said: “All these things have happened in different times, several times they’ve come and gone. We are very patient and we faced it all with the help of the police and others, and we helped ourselves too.”

READ MORE: Slough communities 'feeling at risk' following racist riots

Thames Valley Police said it had stepped up patrols around mosques and officers would be patrolling on Muslim days of worship.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Since the incident in Southport last week, we have stepped up reassurance patrols around mosques and have increased engagement with communities of all faiths following the disorder seen across the country.

“Please be reassured that our neighbourhood officers are continuing to patrol local communities, so if anyone has any concerns, or if you see them out and about, please do speak with them.”

Slough Borough Council has also said it works closely with the police on community safety plans.

Now 86 years old, Mr Afzal says he’s supported the mosque ever since he helped with its creation in the mid 1960s.

Mr Afzal said: “When I started this job I was a pioneer in this. I had been a postgrad teacher in Pakistan and I came to Slough in October 1964.

“In those days it was a problem for me that I didn’t have a place to pray until someone guided me on how to build a mosque.”

The Slough Islamic Trust was first set up in a house on Montem Lane in Salt Hill and – according to its website – was Slough’s first ever mosque.

The trust expanded with another, larger purpose-built mosque – the Jamia Ghousia on Diamond Road – in the mid 1980s.