Asian community leaders say they are in doubt that an arson attack on Chester’s only mosque was racially motivated. The firebugs struck at the Shahjalal mosque in Clifton Drive, Blacon, on Monday just after 1am when they poured petrol near to the doorway of the building and set it alight. More than 20 people were in the mosque at the time for a special service, as it is about 12 days to Ramadan.

Monitoring Group, 20 September 2005

Racially aggravated crime in the Thames Valley has risen by almost 40 per cent since the London bombings.

Police revealed that from when the terrorists struck on July 7, to August 1, there were 146 reported hate crimes compared to 105 during the same period last year.

And the fear among officers is that the figure may rise due to the hot summer weather, school holidays, and more people out drinking.

A Thames Valley police spokesman said: “We believe no members of our community should suffer because of the actions of terrorists and no one should use these attacks as an excuse to divide our communities or to threaten and harm individuals.

“Our officers will deal robustly with any incidents of hate crime and we urge the community to report any such incidents to us.”

He added: “Though there has been an increase in offences, the figures are still extremely low, and we have been working hard with communities to encourage people to come forward and report these incidents.”

Police said the detection rate for racial crime had gone up to 34 per cent compared to 16 per cent last year.

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A Muslim who was beaten up by racist thugs in West Hampstead says he may leave the country to escape more abuse. Fawad Qayyum has to eat through a straw and his speech could be permanently damaged after his jaw was smashed in the attack near Finchley Road.

The 30-year-old was with a friend in Petros Gardens, near the Lithos Road Estate, at 9.30pm on Tuesday last week. His friend became involved in an argument about how his car was parked when two men appeared and started shouting anti-Muslim abuse at Mr Qayyum, who was standing nearby.

Mr Qayyum said: “Two or three guys came and started abusing me saying, ‘We are going to kill you, we are going to smash the car’. Next they punched me in the face, maybe with a weapon. I was on the floor and they kept punching me. I think they might have kicked me as well but I did not have my full senses.”

The beating was so severe he had to stay at the Royal Free Hospital for three days and now faces a string of operations.

Despite dozens of people witnessing the incident, detectives have hit a wall of silence as nobody has come forward with the attackers’ identity.

Detective Constable Cheryl Haque, of Camden Police, said they need help from neighbours. She said: “A witness has told us it was racially motivated but she doesn’t want to give a statement. I think a lot of people have got information and they know who did it but they are scared about speaking out.”

Mr Qayyum, a data support analyst, said due to the attack and the anti-Muslim feeling surfacing since the July 7 bombings he has considered leaving the country. He said: “I am really thinking it is not safe here. I have lived here most of my life but I am thinking of going back to Pakistan. I got my education here and I have put my heart and soul into this country, but at this stage I feel like a stranger.”

Mr Qayyum, who is staying with friends off Finchley Road, urged members of the community to help catch the attackers. He said: “This is not just for me but these people will think they can get away with it and attack more innocent victims.”

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