Muslims ask for more security after attack at London mosque

Muslims called for tighter security at mosques Thursday, local time, after a muezzin was stabbed in the neck at one of the country’s most prominent places of worship.

It was initially feared that the attack at Regent’s Park Mosque in central London was linked to a far-Right mass shooting in Germany on Thursday, which left 10 people dead, although Scotland Yard said this was not being treated as terrorism at this stage.

‘‘I’m deeply saddened to hear of the attack at the London Central Mosque,’’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson said of the attack.

‘‘It’s so awful that this should happen, especially in a place of worship. My thoughts are with the victim and all those affected.’’

Whitehall sources said mental health issues were likely to have been a factor and described the suspect as an Albanian or Bosnian Muslim. The sources added that while they were unaware of any links to the attack in Germany it remained a possible explanation for the timing of the stabbing at the mosque. The victim was named as Raafat Maglad, a muezzin in his 70s. He was seriously wounded but his injuries were said not to be life threatening.

In Germany, federal prosecutors said they were treating as terrorism the attack in the city of Hanau, when a suspected farRight gunman opened fire at two shisha bars.

The assailant, a 43-year-old German national named on social media as Tobias Rathjen, left behind a 24-page manifesto making clear that the motive behind the murders was racist. The killings – one of the victims was thought to have been a pregnant woman – will increase concern in Germany over the growing threat from far-Right extremism in Germany.

‘‘There is considerable evidence the perpetrator acted from far-Right, racist motives, hatred of people of different origins, beliefs or looks,’’ German chancellor Angela Merkel said.

‘‘Racism is a poison, hate is a poison. This poison exists in our society and it is to blame for far too many crimes.’’

Religious groups said they feared the London attack had been carried out by a far-Right extremist with the intention of terrorising the Muslim community.

Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, said the Metropolitan Police were providing extra resources in the area to reassure worshippers. ‘‘Every Londoner is entitled to feel safe in their place of worship,’’ he said.

Lord Nazir Ahmed, the first Muslim appointed to the House of Lords, urged mosques in Britain to improve security, especially during prayers. – Telegraph Group

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