“Race hate gangs attack students
nlnews@archant.co.uk
11 November 2009
RACIST thugs have launched brutal attacks on Muslim students - leaving them fearing for their lives. In the latest attack - on Thursday in St John Street, Finsbury, at around 7.45pm - a group of Muslim students from nearby City University were stabbed during two ambushes by a mob of 30 white and black men. The gang were armed with knives, bricks and metal poles and left six Asian students needing hospital treatment. Third-year student Ali Elhamamy, 22, of the university’s Islamic Society, said: “We were attacked outside the university’s prayer room earlier in the day with fireworks and bricks. The police were called and they told us that we would be better dispersing in small groups. We split up into three groups of seven or eight and headed off separately in the directions of Angel, Farringdon and Barbican Tube stations.” But the group on the way to Angel were accosted by a gang of 20 thugs before they could make it to the station. Shortly afterwards the students heading to Farringdon - who had turned around on hearing about the first attack - were set upon by 30 attackers further down St John Street. Mr Elhamamy, who was part of the group heading to Barbican, said: “These were vicious attacks. One student was callously stamped on and told by doctors that one more blow to the head could have caused severe damage. Another guy had to have part of his skull glued back together. There was a lot of blood and it was a very scary time. “Thankfully everyone managed to walk out of hospital this time - even if a couple were on crutches. But next time we might not be so lucky.” The first attack happened on November 2 when a student was punched as he went to the university’s prayer room. His nose was broken and lip split before he managed to escape into the building in Gloucester Way, Finsbury. When he left after evening prayers with a group of 10 other Muslims they were bombarded with bricks - leaving three students needing hospital treatment for facial and head injuries. Mr Elhamamy said: “This cannot go on. We are not interested in revenge attacks and just want to complete our studies. We are in constant fear for our safety. The gang shout things like ‘Get those Muslims’ and ‘Pakis’. “People are scared they will be killed. Some are first-year students who have come from across the UK or other countries and this is not the sort of experiences they should be having.” Qasim Rafiq, of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, added: “These have been terrible attacks by ignorant people and we can only hope they are isolated incidents.” A spokeswoman for City University said: “We’re shocked and saddened that some of our students have been the victims of an attack near the university. University security has increased its presence at prayer meetings and has also increased the volume of its campus-wide patrols. A team from Islington Police Safer Neighbourhoods is undertaking extra patrols from 2pm to 10pm each day this week in the local area.” Superintendent John Sutherland, of Islington police, said: “We’re treating both incidents very seriously. The Muslim and local community can be reassured by the fact there are dedicated police patrols in this area and crime prevention measures have been put in place with the university.” Three men aged 17, 18 and 19, who were arrested following the attack on Thursday, have been bailed to return to police on January 4. Conditions of their bail mean they must not go within 100 metres of City University, must not contact any students from the university and must not contact any prosecution witnesses.”
nlnews@archant.co.uk
11 November 2009
RACIST thugs have launched brutal attacks on Muslim students - leaving them fearing for their lives. In the latest attack - on Thursday in St John Street, Finsbury, at around 7.45pm - a group of Muslim students from nearby City University were stabbed during two ambushes by a mob of 30 white and black men. The gang were armed with knives, bricks and metal poles and left six Asian students needing hospital treatment. Third-year student Ali Elhamamy, 22, of the university’s Islamic Society, said: “We were attacked outside the university’s prayer room earlier in the day with fireworks and bricks. The police were called and they told us that we would be better dispersing in small groups. We split up into three groups of seven or eight and headed off separately in the directions of Angel, Farringdon and Barbican Tube stations.” But the group on the way to Angel were accosted by a gang of 20 thugs before they could make it to the station. Shortly afterwards the students heading to Farringdon - who had turned around on hearing about the first attack - were set upon by 30 attackers further down St John Street. Mr Elhamamy, who was part of the group heading to Barbican, said: “These were vicious attacks. One student was callously stamped on and told by doctors that one more blow to the head could have caused severe damage. Another guy had to have part of his skull glued back together. There was a lot of blood and it was a very scary time. “Thankfully everyone managed to walk out of hospital this time - even if a couple were on crutches. But next time we might not be so lucky.” The first attack happened on November 2 when a student was punched as he went to the university’s prayer room. His nose was broken and lip split before he managed to escape into the building in Gloucester Way, Finsbury. When he left after evening prayers with a group of 10 other Muslims they were bombarded with bricks - leaving three students needing hospital treatment for facial and head injuries. Mr Elhamamy said: “This cannot go on. We are not interested in revenge attacks and just want to complete our studies. We are in constant fear for our safety. The gang shout things like ‘Get those Muslims’ and ‘Pakis’. “People are scared they will be killed. Some are first-year students who have come from across the UK or other countries and this is not the sort of experiences they should be having.” Qasim Rafiq, of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, added: “These have been terrible attacks by ignorant people and we can only hope they are isolated incidents.” A spokeswoman for City University said: “We’re shocked and saddened that some of our students have been the victims of an attack near the university. University security has increased its presence at prayer meetings and has also increased the volume of its campus-wide patrols. A team from Islington Police Safer Neighbourhoods is undertaking extra patrols from 2pm to 10pm each day this week in the local area.” Superintendent John Sutherland, of Islington police, said: “We’re treating both incidents very seriously. The Muslim and local community can be reassured by the fact there are dedicated police patrols in this area and crime prevention measures have been put in place with the university.” Three men aged 17, 18 and 19, who were arrested following the attack on Thursday, have been bailed to return to police on January 4. Conditions of their bail mean they must not go within 100 metres of City University, must not contact any students from the university and must not contact any prosecution witnesses.”
