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Mosque fear over pensioner attack
Felix Allen4 Sep 2009
Worshippers at a south London mosque today said they were living in fear after a brutal gang attack that left a pensioner fighting for life and two other men injured.
A 67-year-old Muslim, named locally as Ikram ul-Haq, is on life support in hospital after being attacked from behind as he stood with his five-year-old granddaughter outside the Idara-e-Jaaferiya Islamic centre in Tooting.
Today one of the other victims described how a gang of 20 teenagers in hoodies ambushed them outside the mosque, on Church Lane, as they emerged from a prayer session.
Minicab driver Imdad Buhkari, 39, who was standing with another victim, who is in his 70s, said: “They came down the road and about six of them broke off from the rest and surrounded the two of us.
“They asked me for the time. I said I don't wear a watch and suddenly someone from behind punched me hard on the jaw. I was attacked from behind with no warning. Then they hit the old man, whose name is Atameer, and ran off.
“I went round the corner and I was shocked when I saw Ikram lying unconscious on the ground. He was bleeding from his mouth and ear. Now he is in a coma. The doctors want to turn off his life support machine but his family say no.
“It is terrible. Who would do such a thing?”
Four boys - one aged 12, two of 14 and one of 15 - were arrested and were today in police custody.
Mr ul-Haq, a retired care home worker and widowed father of one, suffered serious head injuries in the attack, at around 9pm on Monday.
Witnesses said the five-year-old girl, who was cared for by her grandfather, ran screaming into the mosque as he was assaulted.
Most of the congregation were still inside as they shared a meal to break their daily Ramadan fast.
One friend of Mr ul-Haq's, who asked not to be named, said: “Everyone in the community is in shock. He was such a good, gentle person, a real gentleman. No one could have a bad word to say about him.
“Doctors gave him 24 hours to live and now he is being kept alive by the machine. These people brutally attacked him for no reason at all. Now we are all fearful to go to the mosque.”
Two uniformed policemen were on duty outside the mosque in an effort to reassure frightened locals.
All three victims were Asian but detectives are keeping an open mind about the motive. Mosque leaders have warned worshippers to be “vigilant” and not to walk alone.
One of the trustees said: “There is a sense of insecurity. We don't know if it was a racist attack or if they were just the kind of kids who get their kicks from random violence.
“I have watched the attack on CCTV and it was really quite horrific.”
The attackers were described as black male youths but were part of a larger gang that also included a number of girls and some white boys.
Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane said: “This is a sickening attack on an innocent man. There was no attempt to steal anything. The motive could simply be casual violence for the sake of it.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives on 0208 721 4205 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (14)
What a sad incident,Beating an old man these are some sick folks,I hope the law will give them such a punishment that they never comes out from prison.What happened to England
when people use to respect the old volks, regardless colour, race or relgion.....
- Sid, surrey, london, 07/09/2009 23:47
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Bombard your mp to make gang membership illegal punishable by underage going into secure care.
It is possible as when something like this has happened the police make speedy arrests in a day or so.
Also fine the parents for not knowing where their kids are etc.
- John, UK, 04/09/2009 15:48
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Blackbird Leys, one of Oxford's sometimes notorious for crime housing estates, last year had what little funding removed for the running of a community centre. Due to council cuts.
At one time boys clubs and youth centres were sneered at as old fashioned. They did give a place in neighborhoods where kids and teenagers could call their own, and provoded a focus for sports, music/parties and recreation. A place to hang out in, especially if the home was pretty bad and dysfunctional. When local councils starting closing down actual centres and withdrawing funding, that's when we've seen the rise of these aimless, untethered, gangs of hoodies literally taking over some areas and using the streets as their playgrounds. The rise in single families hasn't helped.
If only the powers that be joined up in some joined up thinking, reinstating and creating community youth centres all over the country? It would save a heck of a lot of money in courts time, asbo's, and the very real grief and fear that many live with and damage some have to suffer at the hands of the present day mindless thugs.
- Pete, Reading, 04/09/2009 15:36
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When oh when are we as a people going to demand this ends, 1) why are 20 teenagers allowed to walk around as a group without belonging to a sports club etc 2) we ALL need to email mp's blog and SHAME the lawmakers into taking ACTION against sub-human scum (too much anyone say - humanity is based on respect for others as you would like to be treated - these scum have none and are useless to society).
All please keep an eye on how these scum are charged etc- NOTHING less than 20 years or more behind bars is required - if anyone would like to collectively organise something - I would like to know.
One more point I have had to shame the police/ authorities into doing their jobs by reporting e.g. gangs acting suspiciously and warning if there were problems I would blog the fact nothing was done as a consequence - lets all try to keep these gangs in check.
More importantly anyone who knows the family please pass on that he and they have full support from others.
John.
- John, Kent, 04/09/2009 15:07
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James is spot on, "Have you got the time mate" is the clasic hoodie phrase for can I rob you please.
I think we need to make a UK movie of Crash to show the problems in our Disunited Kingdom.
- Gordon, UK, 04/09/2009 13:54
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This doesn't sound racist this just sounds like the everyday thuggery so common it would seem. Playing the mosque card does at least ensure they'll get plenty of attention from the police which they wouldn't get if it was just some old bloke outside a church.
- Squiz, Islington, 04/09/2009 13:18
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Although this attack was the act of lowlife scum and cowards and should be condemned and the perpertrators brought to justice and given sever sentances Frank is correct we are a divided society with Hatred and racism rife in our society.
It is everybodies responsability to face up to these facts and right minded individuals from all areas bring there culture and religion into our lives in a more open way.
The Muslim people in our country are by enlarge law abiding decent folk who are hugely misunderstood, but there communities are very close knit and secular, they must reach out into the general community and i am sure the general community will reach back.
Our country is built on tolerance but we need people to meet us half way.
My deepest sympathy to the familly of this poor man and his familly, the whole thing is heartbreaking.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 04/09/2009 12:50
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I am a member of that masjid where the incident took place, and a relation of one of the victims. I am appauled at the violence that has taken place, by an ignorant group of teenagers 'having a laugh' at someones expence.
We pray for Mr ul-Haq and his family, and we can now only hope for the best.
With regards to the instigators, I'm hoping they receive everything they deserve and more....I'm afraid to say had this group been caught by the large congregration inside the masjid at the time, only knows what may have then entailed!
- Sharaz Mir, Morden, 04/09/2009 12:28
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After yesterday's Standard report on the fast rising gun and knife crime in London, this attack is part of that problem. It's not necessarily racial anymore. These pack gangs just pick on anyone. A lone passenger on top of a bus, the old, the helpless, the vulnerable, anyone that to them,stand out or looks out of the ordinary. These gangs are made up of white, black, mixed-race, Asian, and every group who lives in the big cities. Often the victim is random. They do it because they can. They do it because deterrents are zero. They do it because society and those nearby witnessing such crimes have become paralyzed and resignedly put up with it.
- James, London, 04/09/2009 12:10
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The people that carried out this attack are complete low life scum, and people who put this down to divisive religion / politics aren't much better.
This was a defenceless old man with his five year old grandaughter.
- Dc, London, 04/09/2009 12:10
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Ged thank you for your comment. Many people in society in this day and age have become heartless. What problems could an OAP have with a group of teenagers? I suggest that a neighbourhood watch be set up. I am familiar with the area although this is the worst of them it is certainly not the first attack yet the previous ones were not taken seriously.
- Zara, London, England, 04/09/2009 11:50
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It is diabolical what happened no one deserved it. The attack was soo brutal. A neigbour hood watch committy should be organised as I am familiar with the area and the estates on the right have always been a fearful place for residents in that area.
- Zara, London, England, 04/09/2009 11:46
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Did he have it coming to him then, Frank?
Interesting, that your lack of compassion for the man and his grand-daughter isn't uppermost in your mind.
If we have a problem in society, the answer certainly won't come from 'Home Counties' types like yourself. Politics is all too fequently divisive and 'usefully so', eh Frank?
- Ged, Blackheath, London, 04/09/2009 11:27
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I am not surprised and I am sure there will be more incidents to occur. We are a divided society and with the Liberal-Lefty policies in place in our society it isn't going to get any better.
When you have divisive religion/politics you will get division.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 04/09/2009 09:19
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