Regents' Park Imam seriously assaulted by racists

Imam attacked as anti-Muslim violence grows
By Nigel Morris, Independent (London), 14 August 2007
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article2861744.ece

A brutal assault on a London imam has highlighted fears that Muslims are suffering a sharp increase in race attacks after the failed car bombings in June. The 58-year-old imam from Central Mosque in Regent's Park, is in a critical condition after emergency surgery to both of his eyes. Attacks on Muslims and mosques in Glasgow, Manchester and Bradford have been blamed on heightened community tensions since the bungled terror attacks in London's West End on 29 June and at Glasgow airport the next day. Strathclyde Police said the number of racially motivated attacks it dealt with rose from 201 in June to 258 in July. It said 31 of those were definitely connected to the airport incident. Among the attacks they are investigating is a Glasgow newsagent's being gutted after a car crashed into it in an apparent imitation of the airport attack in the city. A fire that severely damaged a mosque in Lidget Green, Bradford, is also being treated as suspicious. Inayat Bunglawala, spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "There has definitely been an upsurge in prejudice against Muslims. It appears people are taking out their frustrations about the failed attacks on Muslims. Some sections of the media have been very active in fomenting that prejudice." Ahmed Versi, editor of the Muslim News, which monitors racist attacks, called on the Government and police to ensure Muslims and their places of worship were protected in the "current hostile climate". He said: "Such Islamophobic attacks should not be tolerated. They are causing further alienation in the community and add to the dangers of radicalising young people."

The London imam, who has not been named, lost large amounts of blood after being repeatedly punched in the face and having fingers jammed in his eyes. Scotland Yard said Ryan Donegan, 40, of Hammersmith, west London, had been charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the attack and with assaulting a police officer. Police said they had an open mind over the motive for the attack and were actively pursuing all lines of inquiry. Chief Superintendent David Morgan said: "We have a close working relationship with worshippers and staff at the mosque and will continue to work together to offer reassurance to the community with extra patrols in and around the area." The mosque's director general, Ahmad Al-Dubayan, said that he suspected the assault was religiously motivated. He added: "We are worried about Islamophobic feelings and racial attacks. I believe there has been an increase in Islamophobia. We have received threatening and insulting letters and emails." Mr Dubayan said the mosque was reviewing its security following the attack. It was considering hiring extra security staff and restricting its opening hours to boost the protection for its team of imams. He also blamed some of the media, with their repeated use of such phrases as "Islamic terrorist" or "Muslim terrorist", for creating "an atmosphere of Islamophobia" in the past year.

Responsibility for race and community relations was transferred in May from the Home Office to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) led by Hazel Blears. A spokeswoman said: "Any crime motivated by a prejudice against a person's race or religion is deplorable and we are committed to doing all we can to support the police in this matter." She said forums aimed at tackling Islamophobia and extremism had been established in Leicester, Dudley and Redbridge, east London, with more planned.

Recent incidents

* 30 JUNE - Ghulam Mustafa Naz, the former imam of a Manchester mosque, is stabbed and left for dead.
* 1 JULY - "Petrol bomb-like missile" hits estate agents in South Bridge Street, Glasgow; it is thought it may have been aimed at a nearby mosque.
* 3 JULY - Glasgow newsagent's is damaged by fire after ram-raid attack.
* 10 JULY - Apparent arson attack on house in Glasgow.
* 3 AUGUST - Arson attack on Bradford mosque.
* 9 AUGUST - Brutal attack on London imam.