Official ISoc Statement [Islamophobic Attacks on Campus]
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Bismilllahir Rahmaanir Raheem, wa’s-salaat wa’s-salaam alaa’ ashraf al-anbiya’ wa’l-mursaleen,
To proceed,
The City University Islamic Society regrets to inform that in the week beginning Monday 2nd November, Muslim students have been the targets of a series of violent attacks perpetrated by local gangs of youths. The first incident occurred on Monday the 2nd of November, when a Muslim student from the City University was physically abused outside the City University Gloucester Building. The assailants repeatedly punched the student in the face, but he managed to escape and enter the Gloucester Building. The victim informed fellow students of what had happened, and requested that he be accompanied to Angel Underground Station. As the students left the building, they were set upon by a large group of youths, who hurled various missiles - including bricks and metal poles – at the students. The vicious and unprovoked attacks led to students being hospitalised including one student receiving head wounds, and another, concussion. These attacks, completely unprovoked, came with racist and Islamophobic statements from the gang such as “Paki” and “Get those Muslims”. Directly after this incident, the president of the Islamic Society spoke to both the local police and University security, who agreed to increase patrols in the area.
This was followed by another set of attacks on Thursday 5th November, which began when the students left the University building. The youths attacked once more by throwing fireworks and bricks at the students, at which point the students went back into the building, whilst outside the youths started throwing more bricks at the building entrance causing damage to the exterior. We called the University security, which in turn called the police, and as such the group fled. The police assured us that they would take care of the problem and that we should disperse and head home. The Islamic Society was concerned that the level of security had not prevented this attack.
It was at this point that the students split up, with some heading to Farringdon, some to Barbican, and some to Angel Underground Stations. The group that were headed to Angel, were then ambushed by the thugs on the corner of St John Street and Rosebery Avenue, near to the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, resulting in 2 City students being stabbed, and others receiving head injuries. And in a further incident, outside the University Social Sciences Building, more students were then set upon by the same group of youths and were repeatedly kicked and stamped on, until the police arrived minutes later. Unfortunately, the additional patrols called for by the Islamic Society did not prevent the incident.
As a result, the Islamic Society has held a meeting with senior figures from the University, the Islington Borough Police and the Clerkenwell Safer Neighbourhoods Team, to discuss the level of protection. At this meeting the University and police understood and accepted our frustrations and disappointment that the attacks had continued. The University has assured us that it is aware of the threat to its students and is working with its students, the Islington Police and the community to minimise that threat. They have also provided alternative rooms for the Muslim students to use in the evenings, and have a commitment to moving the prayer room, in the long term, to a safer location in the main building. The police have also guaranteed that they will increase their patrols in the local area, and will do their utmost to ensure that there is no repeat of these attacks. They have confirmed that 3 youths have been arrested and released on bail, with conditions in place.
The Islamic Society would like to make clear its gratitude, to both the University and the local police, for the measures they have implemented and their continuing support. The Islamic Society would also like to verify its determination to work with both the University and the local police to prevent any further attacks on both Muslim and non-Muslim students in the local community. We can confirm that the students who were injured throughout the week are making full recoveries. As an Islamic Society, we have informed the police and University that we are not interested in retribution of any kind, and would like an end to the problems.
We place our trust completely in Allah, and rely solely upon Him, the Most High, in all our affairs.
Disclaimer:
This is the official statement from City University Islamic Society regarding the incidents which took place in the week beginning Monday 2nd November 2009. This statement may be used on condition that it is either; published in its entirety or referred to via the City ISoc website. Any other use is unauthorized and does not constitute our official views. The official spokesman for City ISoc is Mr Ali Elhamamy. Official views of the ISoc are only available through the spokesman and City ISoc do not subscribe to, nor adhere to views which are broadcast through anyone else who may or may not be associated with the ISoc.
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Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Masha’Allah tabarak’Allah! Nicely done. May Allah have mercy on you all and make your affair easy for you, ameen.