Northolt Villagers Call for End to Ashara Mubaraka Disruption

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Say fortnightly festival brings area to a standstill

Up to 9,000 people attend the event each day

July 1, 2026

Ealing Council has come under pressure from residents in Northolt Village after a fortnight of disruption linked to a large-scale religious event held at Mohammedi Park on Rowdell Road.

The Dawoodi Bohra community’s annual Ashara Mubaraka commemorations, organised by Saifee Burhani Qardan Hasana (London), drew thousands of visitors each day between 12 and 24 June 2026. The gatherings mark the first ten days of Muharram, when Muslims mourn the sacrifice of Imam Husain and his companions at Karbala.

While residents say they respect freedom of worship, they argue that the scale and duration of the event—running for fourteen consecutive days from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. —were unprecedented for a residential area. In a formal complaint sent to councillors, MPs and the media, Dr Suha Kuttar wrote on behalf of Northolt Village residents that the influx of more than 9,000 visitors daily had “severely exhausted local infrastructure and compromised the safety and well-being of local residents. ”

The letter details extensive parking congestion, gridlocked traffic, and confusion caused by unauthorised signage erected on public highways. Residents say promised mitigation measures such as park-and-ride facilities and traffic management failed to prevent widespread disruption. Some reported dismissive responses from event security when they raised concerns about parking, and one family said their car was stolen after being forced to leave it on the street.

The complaint also calls for transparency over what residents describe as a “seven-figure council donation” allegedly made by the organisers after a previous event in 2022. They claim that, aside from minor works at Belvue Park, there is no visible evidence of the reported £4 million investment.

Residents are demanding a full audit of council receipts and spending, a review of future event licensing, stronger enforcement of parking controls, and the creation of a formal resident committee to be consulted on any future large-scale gatherings at Mohammedi Park.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said the authority was “sorry to hear about the disruptions residents in Northolt have experienced ” but emphasised that Ashara Mubaraka is a privately organised event on private land. “The organisers only gave us three weeks ’ notice before it started, ” the statement said. “Since then we have worked closely with them, as well as emergency services and partners, to put in place mitigation measures to manage its impact. ”

The council said it recognised the right of communities to practise their faith but that this must be balanced with residents’ needs. Measures including traffic management, designated parking, park-and-ride provision, stewarding and coordination with police were being reviewed daily. “We are continuing to listen to residents’ concerns and working with the organisers and partners to ensure appropriate conditions, enforcement and communication are in place for the rest of the event, and for any future planning,” the spokesperson added.

Residents invited councillors and MPs to visit Northolt to witness the situation firsthand, saying the experience has been “uniquely disruptive” and must not be repeated.

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