UK: Vigil held to protest Islamophobic attacks

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – A group of activists held a vigil Wednesday in the British capital to support the victims of the most recent anti-Muslim attacks in the U.K.

Stand Up To Racism held the vigil in Stratford, east London, to show “solidarity” with the victims of an acid attack “and the victims of anti-Muslim hate crime,” organizers said.

Mukhtar sustained “life-changing injuries” when acid was sprayed in his face during the attack in which his cousin, Resham Khan, was also critically injured. Mukhtar has described the attack as a hate crime.

“I believe it was something to do with Islamophobia or maybe he’s got it in for Muslims because of what’s been going on lately,” Mukhtar told Channel 4.

Police are searching for suspect John Tomlin and have appealed to the public for information about his whereabouts.

Speakers at the vigil highlighted anti-Muslim hate crimes and urged authorities to act against attacks that target peaceful Muslims in the U.K.

Protesters held banners and posters that condemned Islamophobia.

Islamophobic attacks in the U.K. spike sharply after deadly terror attacks in Manchester and London Bridge in recent weeks, according to official figures.

In London, anti-Muslim hate crimes climbed to 20 per day after the attacks, from 3.5 per day prior, according to London mayor’s office.

On June 19, Darren Osborne attacked a group of Muslims who were leaving a mosque in Finsbury Park after night prayers during Ramadan.

Osborne killed 51-year-old Makram Ali when he ran over a group of worshippers. Eleven others were also injured.