Three arson attacks in three years

Mosque suffers Islamophobic hatred once again

A Manchester mosque has suffered a third arson attack in three years earlier in July, which Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are now investigating as a hate crime.

Nasfat Mosque, an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain, had 30 firefighters and five fire engines tackle the blaze last month, which left the building gutted.

Deen Moyodele, Nasfat mosque spokesperson, said, “The arson attack was so devastating. We are very active in the local community, participating in all community events in order to promote cohesion and we welcome dialogue with all. But whoever carried out this attack are unfortunately nothing but cowards.”

Nasfat has a track record of positive community work. Members of the mosque's congregation took part in a national peace rally showing their support against extremism, with banners reading "Say no to extremism" and "No to Boko Haram." And in February 2017, the mosque held a mosque open day for their local community as part of national #VisitMyMosque Day.

A peace walk in Manchester was held last week with participants from multi-faith communities across Manchester attending to show solidarity. And the Greater Manchester Council of Mosques issued an open letter to MPs and local councillors, reiterating the concerns of all Mancunians of violence targeting people of a specific faith.

MCB Secretary General Harun Khan said, “Prime Minister Theresa May had said ‘There has been far too much tolerance of extremism in our country over many years – and that means extremism of any kind, including Islamophobia’.

“With Islamophobic hatred like this Manchester arson attack, the mowing down of worshippers in North London or incitement of hatred against East London Mosque in the last few weeks to name but a few, we urge the UK Government and all parts of British civil society to adopt a coordinated and strategic approach to tackling this form of extremism. The MCB remains open to working with all parties to support these efforts.”

The Muslim Council of Britain has for years been one of the many civil society voices warning against the rise of Islamophobic hatred and violence in the UK.

In an MCB submission to the Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee inquiry into Hate Crime and its Violent Consequences in December 2016, we said, “The evidence is unambiguous as to the scale of Islamophobia and its violent consequences within the UK. Many individuals have been attacked in hate crimes ranging from online hate crime, verbal and violent assaults to intimidation, and even murder, as was the case with Mohammed Saleem in October 2013.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Walker of GMP’s City of Manchester Borough, said: "We are investigating this [Nasfat arson attack] as a hate crime which has damaged a place of worship used by members of the Nigerian community. No one should be the subject of hate and intolerance"

No arrests have been made yet and so the arsonist is still at large and a threat to the public. We commend the support provided by Greater Manchester Police to date and urge anyone with information to contact the police to help them in their investigation on 0161 856 9770 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Nasfat mosque has launched a crowdfunding plea for £50,000 to repair and reopen the premises within 8-12 months. This can be found online at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/standagainsth8

Colonel Bayaaz lands top job

An Afghan policewoman was appointed as head officer in a major city last week, with such an unusual move illustrated by the fact she was issued four bodyguards upon appointment.

Colonel Jamila Bayaaz joined the force more than 30 years ago and will now head one of Kabul's busiest shopping districts.

Interviewed on Wednesday, Bayaaz said she hoped to inspire other women and improve paltry numbers in police ranks in the post-Taliban era, despite highly publicised recruitment drives.

APPOINTED: Colonel Jamila Bayaaz will take charge of the Kabul district in Afghanistan

One aspiring officer, she said, had already visited her office with an application.

“She was very excited and told me that when she saw me on television she was encouraged to serve as a policewoman. I was surprised,” Bayaaz said in her office, bedecked with flowers from well-wishers. “My priority is to protect women and help them recruit in the police force through this job.”

Joining the police force is a brave but risky move. Working alongside unrelated men in a deeply conservative society exposes women to criticism and most will suffer some form of abuse from male colleagues.

Hence the four bodyguards, twice the number usually allotted to a comparable male officer. And the armoured car.

“I know there are dangers and threats in this job, but I don't worry about them. I focus on my job, how to make things better,” Bayaaz said.

Creating a female police force was considered an important victory for Western efforts to promote equality after a U.S.-led military coalition toppled the Taliban in 2001.

Forced by the Taliban to wear the head-to-toe burqa, unable to leave home on their own and barred from schools, women were supposed to secure basic freedoms. But gains have been limited.

Colonel Bayaaz added that she was completely dedicated to the role and would not be stepping down any time soon, despite a number of possible obstacles.

She said: “People's mindset has changed a lot towards women and become more radical,” she said. “My children and husband are worried about my job, but I can't quit simply because they say so.”