West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins and Imam Qari Asim, Head Imam of the Makkah Mosque in Leeds, are urging communities to stand together in the wake of the terrorist incident in Finsbury Park earlier this week.
Their statement comes as another attack on worshippers was reported at London’s Regent’s Park Mosque last night, 20 June. Police tasered a man who, it was later revealed, was waving a shoe horn taken from the mosque. They are not treating it as a terror-related incident.
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins said: “The Finsbury terrorist attack was dreadful, particularly as it targeted people leaving prayers in the holy month of Ramadan.
“Naturally, this has raised concerns among our own Muslim communities and we have been providing highly visible reassurance and support, across the county, which will continue as long as is necessary.”
Imam Qari Asim said: “It is essential to send a clear message that there can be no tolerance of religious hatred in our communities.
“While many members of the Muslim community are understandably very concerned about their own safety, we know we must not give in to extremists. Hate incidents must be reported and people who commit hate crimes have to be dealt with robustly.”
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