A shocking CCTV footage shows a 73-year-old pensioner being attacked by three thugs as he walked home from a mosque after evening prayers on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred
on York Street, in King’s Heath, Birmingham, where the attackers got out of a black vehicle and assaulted the man from behind. One of the assailants kicked the pensioner in the back, causing him to fall and smash his head on a display board outside a bar. The gang fled the scene while the victim was taken to hospital with a broken hand and cuts to his face.
The victim's daughter took to Facebook to appeal for information and ask for prayers for her father. She wrote, "Last night at around 11 pm, my dad was violently attacked by a group of thugs on York Road as he was on his way back home from the mosque. They assaulted him from behind and left him unconscious on the footpath bleeding out. He is in the hospital. Please pray for him and be safe and vigilant. Also, if anybody saw anything or heard anything, please, please I urge you to contact the police so that we can catch these cowards."
West Midlands Police has launched a manhunt for the attackers, who are described as two white men and one black man, all aged between 18 and 30, and wearing tracksuits. The motive for the attack is not clear, but the police have said that there is no evidence to suggest it was linked to the recent attack on a man who was walking home from a mosque in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Sergeant Chris Gallon, of Moseley and Kings Heath Police, said, "This was an appalling attack on a member of the public who was heading home. We’ll be taking a full statement from the victim, who remains in the hospital today, and we’ve already got officers in the area this morning recovering CCTV and carrying out house-to-house enquiries. We are working hard to identify the attackers and the car that they were in. We’ll also have extra officers in the area for reassurance, and it’s important that anyone with concerns comes to speak to us."
Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward expressed his sympathy for the victim and his family, saying, "This was an attack on an elderly gentleman walking home from his local mosque, and our thoughts are with the victim and his family at this time." Ward also urged the public to avoid speculation and work with the police while thanking the local community for their willingness to share information on the incident.
The attack on the pensioner has sparked outrage in the community and renewed concerns over the safety of worshippers leaving mosques after evening prayers. The incident has also raised questions about the rise in hate crimes and Islamophobia in the UK, especially following recent attacks on Muslims in the country. Earlier this month, two men were set on fire near mosques in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and Ealing, west London. These attacks have led to increased police patrols around mosques and other places of worship.
The incident has also highlighted the need for increased security measures around mosques and other places of worship to protect worshippers from such attacks. Many communities have already taken steps to increase security, including installing CCTV cameras, hiring security personnel, and holding community meetings to discuss safety concerns. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of hate crimes and Islamophobia, including education and awareness-raising campaigns.
In conclusion, the attack on the pensioner in Birmingham has shocked the community and highlighted the need for increased security measures to protect worshippers leaving mosques after evening prayers. It has also raised concerns about the rise in hate crimes and Islamophobia in the UK and the need for education and awareness-raising campaigns to address these issues. The police have launched a manhunt for the attackers, and anyone with information is urged. Photo by Roy Hughes, Wikimedia commons.