Imam Attacked as Anti-Muslim Violence Grows

August 14, 2007

Author: Nigel Morris

Source: The Independent

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.