United Kingdom

Two injured after “racially aggravated” attack in front of East Ham Mosque

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Two Muslim worshipers were injured after a group of thugs carrying bottles and hockey sticks launched a “racially aggravated” attack outside a mosque on Tuesday night.

The group is attacking people entering Sri Lanka’s Muslim center in East Ham for iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily fast for Ramadan at sunset.

Eyewitnesses said about 15 European men, armed with wooden poles, beer bottles, fluorescent lamps and stones, appeared in front of the Barking Road Mosque on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

The two worshipers received minor injuries from broken glass.

Remains of burnt documents and documents believed to have been left in front of the mosque were found when one of the attackers tried to light a fire in their buckets.

The burned documents and paper bags were found in the bins next to the mosque

Zakir Hussein

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed that officials were investigating a “report of aggravated racial violence following an incident in front of a mosque in East Ham”.

“Police were called in to signal that a group of men in Pilgrim Way, armed with bottles and hockey sticks, had attacked members of the mosque.

“It is said that one suspect set fire to paper in a basket in front of the mosque.

“The suspects fled before the police arrived.

“Officers searched the area but found no trace of the suspects.

“Many people received minor injuries but did not need medical attention.

Police said they would launch additional patrols in the area as a result.

“No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the 101 police or Tweet @MetCC, citing CAD 7482 / 19APR. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.