Race attack on imam near mosque
A mosque has had to close after an 29-year-old assistant imam was attacked after being racially abused on his way to morning prayers. He left hospital after the attack in Rhyl, Denbighshire, but was re-admitted when his condition worsened.
Muslim leaders condemned the attack near the Islamic Cultural Centre, which has had to cancel services. Police expressed disgust, but said it was "random" and not a "targeted attack on the Muslim community".
The imam, Awad Kareem, said two men attacked the victim after asking if he was a Muslim. He added: "When he told them that he was, they told him: 'If you want to live and stay in this country, you shouldn't say you're a Muslim'. I regard that as a threat to his life."
Martin Sullivan