Sam Tarry, Labour MP for Ilford South, said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear of this Islamophobic attack against Ilford Mosque. “These disgraceful acts of violence and hatred have no place in Ilford, and I hope that the perpetrators face justice as soon as possible.” Jas Athwal, Labour leader of Redbridge Council, said the council would continue to work closely with police and that security in areas surrounding the mosque would be increased. I am in contact with the police and Albert Road Mosque about the disgusting racist attack that took place last night. There is no place for hatred, racism or Islamophobia in our borough. pic.twitter.com/pSpCnfBNeB
Ahmad said he was disappointed something like this could happen after the brutal year everyone has had.
He said: With everyone having suffered through Covid and knowing life is so fragile, it doesn t change anything for some people. Bigots still exist and they don t see anything different.
He said the outpouring from the community at large has been very positive, with the police and council very supportive and quick to respond.
Council leader Jas Athwal visited the mosque multiple times on Wednesday and spoke to the congregation during evening prayers to try to ease their concerns.
This afternoon I visited Albert Road Mosque to speak with worshippers & my dear friend, Chairman Ghazanfar Ali about the terrible racist attack that took place last night.
Muslims Pelted with Eggs At Mosque in Suspected Islamophobic Attack
On 5/7/21 at 12:27 PM EDT
Police have launched an investigation into a suspected Islamophobic hate crime after Muslims worshipping at their mosque s prayer service reported being assaulted with eggs and stones.
According to a report from The Evening Standard, burly white men targeted the Ilford Islamic Centre on Tuesday during a late-night prayer service in South Ilford, London.
The Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations, or FORMO for short, alleged in a Twitter statement that members of the Ilford mosque were pelted with eggs and some other items, with at least five congregants hit. They condemned the act as a cowardly premeditated Islamophobic attack.
The Met said that so far there have been no arrests.
The Muslim community is observing the holy month of Ramadan, which ends next week.
Ahmed Nahwaz, director and secretary of the centre, said the incident was “a shame” but the community remained strong.
“I was caught by surprise because leading up to this we had a very quiet and peaceful 20-odd nights, and then this happened,” he told the PA news agency.
“We weren’t expecting it this kind of time in the period of reflection for everyone, having gone through Covid.”
“It’s a shame (but) we’re used to it,” said Mr Nawaz.