A recent inquiry has found that Muslim survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were severely let down by Kensington and Chelsea Council, particularly regarding their access to halal food while temporarily housed in hotels. The final report indicates that the tragic incident, which resulted in the deaths of 72 people in 2017, was linked to long-standing governmental and construction industry negligence concerning flammable cladding.

The report criticized the council for failing to adequately support residents from diverse backgrounds, especially during Ramadan when many were observing fasting practices. The absence of halal food options and the inability to adhere to specific eating times highlighted a significant oversight in accommodating the cultural and religious needs of the affected population. This has drawn criticism from the Muslim Council of Britain, which pointed out broader systemic issues impacting minority communities.

Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, emphasized the need for meaningful change and the importance of learning from Grenfell’s lessons to ensure vulnerable communities are treated justly. The inquiry illustrated how issues of race and class are closely linked to the Grenfell tragedy, with a disproportionate number of victims coming from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds.

Dr. Shabna Begum from the Runnymede Trust warned that without immediate action, a similar disaster could occur in the future, and stressed that the Grenfell fire was a tragedy exacerbated by systematic racism. The inquiry also uncovered the struggles faced by non-English speakers in receiving support, noting that many were left behind due to inadequate communication.

Many survivors faced barriers to mental health support after the fire, with psychological services often not communicated effectively, particularly to those who did not speak English fluently. Meka Beresford from Action for Race Equality called for serious attention to the recommendations laid out in the report to address the systemic failures encountered by those impacted by the Grenfell disaster.

In response to the inquiry's findings, Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, issued an apology to those affected by the fire. She acknowledged the council's failures both before and after the tragedy and committed to studying the criticisms laid out in the report thoroughly, promising a detailed formal response later in the year.