The Imam of Hull city mosque has called for calm and his congregation not to take the law into their own hands after he was attacked by a man who stopped his car on the way home from the mosque.
Information on the attack on Imam Hafiz Salik, 60, has only just emerged. His son Ateeq Salik said his father was driving home last Saturday evening from his daughter’s house next to the Hull Mosque and Islamic Centre when two men and a woman tried to stop his car.
Mr Salik said: “They ran into the middle of the road and he had to do an emergency stop. He beeped the horn at them. One of the men lay down in the road right in front of the car. My father was confused and thought he was injured. Then the man slowly got up and went to the car and opened the door.
“My mum was sitting in the front and my youngest sister was in the back. He looked at all of them and he punched my father very hard in the face. It was a very forceful punch and my father’s face was covered in blood. Then the man walked away.”
Motive
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The imam’s son said it was too early to stipulate whether the attack was Islamophobic or racially motivated as the culprit had not said anything when he opened the car door.
Imam Salik suffered a severe eye injury and it is not known whether he will regain the sight in his injured eye.
Humberside police officers attended the mosque for Jummah prayers to reassure more than a thousand worshippers.
Imam Salik is a prominent figure in Hull, and sits on both council and police boards, and works with other faiths to promote understanding.
His son led Jummah on Friday and passed a message to the congregation on behalf of his father. He said: “He sent them a message of peace and unity and told them that no one should take the law into their own hands.”
Police appeal
Humberside police have issued an appeal for information and want to speak to any witnesses.
A police statement said: “Police are appealing for information in connection with an incident on Spring Bank West, Hull.
“Around 2230 hours on Saturday 30 November 2013 a family were driving along Spring Bank West in the direction of Chanterlands Avenue, Hull. Close to the junction with Hymers Avenue two men and a woman caused the vehicle to stop. One of the men then assaulted the driver of the vehicle causing a serious injury to his eye.
“The offender is described as being a white man, 5ft 6in tall, well-built and aged 25-30. The man had short brown hair and was wearing a dark stone-coloured jacket, shirt and trousers.
“Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who can help to identify the persons involved.”
Humberside police later confirmed that the attack is being dealt as a racist attack because the victim perceived the incident to be.
Officers said they had not discovered any connection to right-wing extremist groups but their inquiries were still ongoing.
