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Grimsby mosque hit by suspected arson attack Grimsby mosque hit by suspected arson attack
(about 4 hours later)
A mosque chairman has described how he was inside an Islamic cultural centre with a young family when it was hit by a suspected arson attack. The chairman of a mosque in Grimsby which was targeted by arsonists on Sunday night has described the attack as attempted murder.
The Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre was allegedly targeted by petrol bombs on Sunday night, despite an increased police presence in the area following another attack on the complex three days ago. Two people were arrested by police patrolling around the Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre, which was attacked despite an increased police presence following another attack on the complex three days ago.
Humberside police said a fire was started at the centre on Weelsby Road shortly before 10pm. No one was injured. Two people were arrested by officers patrolling in the area. The incident, which appears to have been the most serious attack yet on the Muslim community amid fears of a backlash following the killing of drummer Lee Rigby, comes at a time of increased activity by far right groups, including the English Defence League. The group was due to stage a demonstration close to Downing Street on Monday.
The chairman of the mosque, Diler Gharib, told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We had just finished our prayers and were discussing how to thank our neighbours for the support they have shown us over the past few days when we heard a bang and saw fire coming under the door. Humberside police said a fire was started at the Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre on Weelsby Road, shortly before 10pm on Sunday.
The mosque's chairman, Diler Gharib, told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We had just finished our prayers and were discussing how to thank our neighbours for the support they have shown us over the past few days when we heard a bang and saw fire coming under the door.
"I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out and then two more petrol bombs hit the fire escape and the bin so I had to put those out too.""I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out and then two more petrol bombs hit the fire escape and the bin so I had to put those out too."
Gharib said police had been monitoring the mosque after it was targeted by youths last week and officers were able to quickly apprehend two suspects. CCTV footage showed three petrol bombs being thrown over the gate of the building, according to Sky News, which was told by the mosque imam, Ahmad Sabik, that it was an attempt to murder.
He said the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich was a criminal act that had nothing to do with the Muslim faith. "We are now worried about our families, our children, our place of worship," he said. "Petrol bombs were prepared in advance and some chemical materials were used."
He said: "We have all been feeling on edge and now this has happened. It's not just the people at the mosque we are worried about, it's our wives, daughters and children who are out in the community." A statement from Humberside police said it was too early to speculate why the fire was started, but added: "The force is currently aware of a number of messages which have been posted on social networking sites by a small minority of individuals.
In a statement, Humberside police said: "It is too early to speculate why the fire was started, however anyone with any information who could assist officers as part of the investigation are urged to call the Humberside police non-emergency number 101."
She added: "The force is currently aware of a number of messages which have been posted on social networking sites by a small minority of individuals.
"These messages appear to be an attempt to incite trouble by posting messages inviting people to assemble and cause trouble at particular locations. Those people should be aware that we are monitoring these sites in Humberside and we will take action against those intent on attempting to incite violence or post messages of a racial nature.""These messages appear to be an attempt to incite trouble by posting messages inviting people to assemble and cause trouble at particular locations. Those people should be aware that we are monitoring these sites in Humberside and we will take action against those intent on attempting to incite violence or post messages of a racial nature."
The Islamic centre in Grimsby is part of a complex that includes a mosque that was targeted by youths last week. The Islamic centre in Grimsby is part of a complex that includes a mosque which was targeted by youths last week.
Eleven teenagers were arrested after that incident, which happened after a party spiralled out of control, police said. The 16- and 17-year-olds were arrested on Thursday.Eleven teenagers were arrested after that incident, which happened after a party spiralled out of control, police said. The 16- and 17-year-olds were arrested on Thursday.
Following Sunday night's incident, the MP for Great Grimsby, Austin Mitchell, said attacks on mosques and other Islamic institutions were playing into the hands of terrorists who wanted community conflict. Elswhere, two men have been charged with racially aggravated public order offences following a protest in Walsall over the weekend.
Mitchell told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's sheer, simple stupidity. A 22-year-old man from Walsall and a 28-year-old from Wolverhampton will appear before magistrates on 18 June after an EDL protest in the town centre on Saturday afternoon, a West Midlands police spokeswoman said.
"I'm appalled and shocked. I didn't expect this in Grimsby. These idiots, whoever they are, are playing directly into the hand of the terrorists."
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