ADC Letter to British Ambassador Urges Investigation into Ramadan anti-Muslim Hate Crime

Gang attacks worshipers leaving south London mosque after Ramadan sunset prayers. 67-year old man attacked while accompanying five-year old granddaughter

Washington, D.C. | September 4, 2009 | Today, in a letter to British Ambassador Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald, the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (ADC) expressed its serious concern over attack that took place yesterday by a gang of approximately twenty youth against worshippers leaving a mosque after Ramadan sunset prayers in Tooting south of London. The attack resulted in several serious injuries including life threatening injuries to a 67-year old gentleman who was accompanying his five-year old granddaughter. According to reports, the attackers included approximately twenty youth.

In the letter to Ambassador Sheinwald, ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora said, “We are confident that a comprehensive legal investigation is being conducted by British authorities. However, this anti-Muslim attack during the Holy Month of Ramadan must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The letter continued, “We are assured that British authorities will use all available legal means to classify this as a hate-motivated attack and report it to the appropriate agencies monitoring anti-Muslim intolerance including the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).”

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee | http://www.adc.org