A Muslim teenager was violently assaulted and racially abused as he left a Coventry mosque following tharawih prayers.
Police have launched an investigation after an 18-year-old, who doesn’t want to be named was attacked between 11.45pm and midnight on Sunday in Eagle Street, Foleshill.
He was left with a nasty black eye in the assault but escaped without serious injury.
It’s believed the attackers may have targeted the nearby the Masjid-e-Zeenat-ul Islam Mosque, in Stoney Stanton Road, and thrown stones at the windows before attacking the teenager.
His father, Qudir Hussain, of Foleshill, said he was sure that attackers were motivated by race.
“I’m really angry,” he said. “They went from one place to the other, they were clearly looking for trouble.
“Apparently they were throwing things at the windows and shouting out racist abuse.
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“My son has a black eye. I did tell him to be careful and that he maybe shouldn’t go out.”
The teenager had left the Jamia Mosque during evening prayers, shortly before the attack.
His group separated before he was targeted further down Eagle Street.
He was approached by four men who called him a P*** before they attacked him from behind.
It’s believed some of the group were in a dark coloured Toyota car.
Mr Hussain, aged 45, said: “They threatened him. They said they will cut him up, chop him into little bits.
“He wasn’t looking for trouble, it came to him.
“I just want everyone to be aware that this sort of thing is going on.”
The area outside the mosque and the surrounding roads are covered by CCTV.
Evening prayers at the Jamia Mosque begin at around 11pm and end at 12.30am. It’s believed the area outside the mosque would have been busy at the time.
Door to door inquiries took place this morning while the 18-year-old has been interviewed by police.
Call police on 101 if you can help.
