Barking Muslim leader condemns Woolwich attack as “horrific” and extends sympathies to family
Raja Bashir President of the Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society - Credit: Archant
A Muslim community leader has joined in condemning the “horrific” Woolwich murder, believed to have been carried out by Islamic fundamentalists.
Raja Bashir, President of Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society, said he “couldn’t sleep last night” after hearing of the attack on a soldier by two men in John Wilson Street, Woolwich, south east London yesterday.
The two men, who allegedly ran their victim over in a car before going at him with bladed weapons, were shot and arrested by police following the incident.
“First of all I would say this was a horrific murder and I am appalled about it,” said Raja.
“I’m sick of it honestly, I have never seen such a horrible incident as this in my life — I can’t imagine a man can do this to another man.”
The Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society works out of the Barking Muslim Community Centre in Tanner Street and delivers programmes about community cohesion and harmony.
Raja said he felt there is “a little bit of tension in the area” but stressed he was not worried about any backlash following the attack, despite the historically strong presence of right-wing parties in the area and confrontations in Woolwich between far right group the English Defence League (EDL) and the police last night.
Most Read
- 1 Dagenham man fined within hours of fly-tipping at bus stop
- 2 Dagenham man jailed for 12 years for punching to death Marius Lakavicius
- 3 Girl, 17, held on suspicion of terrorism offences after east London arrest
- 4 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee flypast: Where, and when, the planes will fly over north and east London
- 5 Major tube strike to follow Queen's Platinum Jubilee long weekend
- 6 Police appeal after intruder reportedly enters Barking home and threatens woman with knife
- 7 Zouma brothers to face the courts amid animal abuse allegations
- 8 'Beautiful skin and incredible smile': What happened when the Queen visited a Dagenham school
- 9 70 firefighters tackle Dagenham house fire
- 10 Dagenham and West Ham accused in court after drugs raids
“I have been living in Barking and Dagenham for the last 40 years and I have never preached to anybody to do bad things,” he said.
“Muslim, Hindu, Christian, whatever, we are human beings and we should treat others as human beings.
“I’m very sorry for the family of the dead man and my sympathy goes to them.”