LOVE SHOWERS NORWICH MOSQUE AFTER ATTACK
Norwich, 21 Rabiul Akhir 1436/11 February 2015 (MINA) – In a message of solidarity with the Muslim community, citizens of Norwich city in the British central county of Norfolk have showered a mosque targeted by vandals with messages of support, to console Muslims and exonerate moderate citizens from any Islamophobic attacks.
“I have lived in Norwich for 23 years and I know we are all in this community together,” Ruth Phelps, from Aylsham Road, was quoted by Norwich Evening News 24 on Tuesday, February 10.
“It’s dreadful what’s happened. And for it to happen in Norwich is so upsetting for the community,” On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
Norwich Ihsan mosque, in Chapelfield East, came under attack on Saturday at about 6:30am.
With 11 panes of mosque glass damaged, hundreds of dollars are needed to replace to glass and leading, according to the mosque board.
The attack, that comes almost a month after Paris attacks, has alarmed Norwich Muslim community who has been living in peace for decades.
Norfolk police have said they are still investigating and have not made any arrests. Seeing Muslims’ shock after the attack, Norwich citizens decided to act. Phelps organized the showing of solidarity and said she was sickened by the attack.
Moving with other supporters, she covered the mosque doors in colored hearts made out of tissue paper which included messages of support of the Muslim community. The reaction was immediately praised by the Norwich Ihsan Mosque as “amazing”.
“Ever since it happened Facebook has been going crazy, we’ve had attention on our website, and members of the public have been coming in non-stop, posting flyers and leaflets in the door,” Jamal Sealey, head of the community, said.
“We’ve heard of people trying to raise the funds to help us pay for the damage. It’s been overwhelming; it’s really been a positive thing.”
The mosque will be hosting as Islamic Awareness Week from March 17-23 during which the mosque is inviting people to tour the worshipping house and join the people there for lunch. Britain is home to a sizable Muslim minority of nearly 2.7 million.
In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.
Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British. Reflecting a deep-rooted relationship, a synagogue in the northern British city of Bradford has appointed, this month, its first Muslim member, in a decision passed unanimously by its ruling body. (T/P011/P3)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
