Birmingham and London councils in solidarity with fire attack victim Mohammed Rayaz

Birmingham City Council and Newham Council in London have issued separate statements following the horrific fire attack against Mr Mohammed Rayaz in Edgbaston on Monday night.

The statement comes as a 28-year-old man appeared in court today charged with two counts of attempted murder. 

Members of Newham Council in London – where 82-year-old Hashi Odowa was set alight after leaving the West London Islamic Centre in February – issued a joint statement yesterday saying that they stand in solidarity with Mr Rayaz and his family as the holy month of Ramadan begins.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and her Executive Members Cllr Carleene Lee-Phakoe, Cllr Rev Cannon Ann Easter and Cllr Jane Lofthouse issued the following statement after the horrific attack on Mr Mohammed Rayaz in Birmingham on Monday night when he was on his way home after Maghrib prayers at a local mosque.

The joint statement reads: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Rayaz who was viciously attacked earlier this week on his way home from his local mosque. He now has life-changing injuries and his loving family are devastated at such an incomprehensible act.

“We are also appalled at this heinous act and know that our Muslim communities in Newham will be understandably concerned in the face of rising Islamophobia and hate crimes; as this incident follows a similar attack that happened by a mosque in west London last month.

“Officers from the Council are in regular contact with local police who have been liaising with local Mosques across Newham and the Newham Muslim Forum to provide reassurance. There is a Policing plan in place to support mosques across the borough at prayer times; and Newham Council’s Community Safety officers will be providing additional support and reassurance to Mosques during this Holy month of Ramadan.

“We deplore all forms of violence and discrimination to any individual or community because of their faith and beliefs. Our neighbourhoods must continue to be places where people, regardless of who they are, can feel safe at all times.

“We stand in solidarity this evening with Mr Rayaz and his family and on the eve of Ramadan are united with the community of Birmingham in rejecting such hate-fuelled violent acts.”

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Birmingham City Council also issued a statement regarding the appalling attack on the elderly 70-year-old grandfather who was attacked after he left Dudley Road Mosque on Monday night.

Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward, Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, and ward councillors Cllr Sharon Thompson and Cllr Marcus Bernasconi, said: “This was an horrific attack and our thoughts are with the victim and his family at such a distressing time.

“Councillors and the Community Safety team are speaking to the family and West Midlands Police. We will continue to offer our support.

“Council officers, local councillors and MP have also been engaging with community groups and local mosques to offer support to the wider community.

“We would urge the community to work with the police and to avoid any speculation at this stage – and also like to thank them for their willingness to share information on this incident.”

A police spokesperson shared details of the suspect: “A man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder following incidents in Birmingham and London in the last month.

“Mohammed Abbkr, aged 28 from Edgbaston in Birmingham, was remanded to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court this morning (23 March).

“Abbkr is alleged to have sprayed a substance on two men and set it alight in separate incidents in Ealing and Birmingham on 27 February and 20 March.

“This was a joint investigation between West Midlands Police, Counter Terrorism Policing and the Metropolitan Police.”