Imam seriously injured in bloody attack at Regent's Park mosque

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Muslim cleric was assaulted at Regent's Park mosque on Friday.

The 58-year-old imam, who has not been named, suffered heavy blood loss, damage to both eyes and had to undergo emergency surgery, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said.

The MCB claim there have been a series of recent Islamophobic crimes in Britain, which they believe have been fuelled by the media.

An arson attack on a mosque in Bradford on August 3 is being treated as suspicious by police.

Strathclyde Police have also reported an increase in race crime in the west of Scotland since the suspected terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport on June 30.

An MCB spokesman said: "There is clearly a growing anti-Muslim climate in this country and it has some very worrying implications for all of us.

"It is deeply regrettable that sections of our media have been playing a key role in fermenting much of this Islamophobic prejudice and hatred against British Muslims."

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at about 8.30am on Friday to reports of an assault at Regent's Park mosque, known as the Islamic Cultural Centre.

The victim was taken to a central London hospital by the London Ambulance Service where he remains.

Responsibility for race and community relations was transferred from the Home Office to Ruth Kelly's Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in May.

Forums aimed at tackling Islamophobia and extremism have been established in Leicester, Redbridge and Dudley, with more planned around the country.

A spokeswoman for the DCLG said: "Any crime motivated by a prejudice against a person's race or religion is deplorable and we are committed to doing all we can to support the police in this matter."