UK Mosque Fire Leaves Muslim Man Grieving

British police have arrested a man for attempted murder for allegedly setting an 82-year-old Muslim man on fire as he was on his way home from a mosque.

A Birmingham man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after setting an 82-year-old Muslim worshiper on fire as he was returning home.

West Midlands Police said the attacker spoke to the victim briefly before being sprayed with an unknown substance and igniting his jacket, causing burns to his face.

Birmingham Police Chief Richard North said: “He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, not believed to be life-threatening.”

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Haji Bashir, vice president of the Dudley Road Mosque, said the entire community was devastated by the incident. He said mosque officials have been actively communicating with the police since Monday night.

Al-Bashir welcomed the news that the suspect had been found and detained.

“However, the whole community is in great grief. The victim was a local and regular worshiper at our mosque. There is a great sense of anxiety in the community. The children did not want to go to school in the morning while the assailant was on the streets,” Bashir said.

As the holy month of Ramadan began on Thursday, Al-Bashir said the heartbreaking incident shows there is a need to tighten security around mosques.

He noted that “Today it was the Dudley Road Mosque, but tomorrow the same thing could happen in Alum Rock, Cape Hill or other areas. Lessons must be learned.”

Police said they were aware of a similar incident which took place in west London on February 27 and were working with the Metropolitan Police Service to uncover any possible links.

“We are examining CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses. I spoke to people this morning, and so I know how concerned they are and that people are looking for answers. We are determined to get those answers as quickly as possible, and I urge the community to work with us and avoid any speculation in this matter.” stage.”

He said the investigation is continuing with the support of counter-terrorism police, who have access to specialized capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

He stressed, “We have officers patrolling the local area to reassure people and we visit local religious institutions to inform them of information. We ask the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to us.”

Birmingham, a city of 1.2 million people, is home to more than 300,000 Muslims. The minority reportedly not only faces discrimination in their daily lives, but also thousands of physical attacks each year.

In 2018, a group of cross-party parliamentarians issued a report on anti-Muslim hate, urging the government to formally define Islamophobia. So far, the government has refrained from taking any action.