It was a hate crime, says Muslim victim of acid attack
‘Why would anyone do that to us?’
THE victim of a horrific acid attack says he and his cousin were the random targets of a ‘hate crime’ because they are Muslims.
Jameel Muhktar, 37 and aspiring model Resham Khan, 21, were in a parked car when a man threw a corrosive substance through the window, leaving them with ‘life-changing injuries.’
Mr Muhktar spoke out as police released a picture of a tattooed man, John Tomlin, 24, wanted in connection with the incident.
The police said they were keeping an ‘open mind’ as to the motive of the unprovoked attack but added there was no information to suggest it was racially or religiously motivated. But Mr Muhktar told Channel 4 News: ‘It’s definitely a hate crime. I believe it’s something to do with Islamophobia.
‘Maybe he’s got it in for Muslims because of the things that have been going on lately. I don’t know if people are trying to retaliate. We’re innocent people. We didn’t deserve that. I’ve never seen this guy in my life. Why would anyone do that to us?’ An emotional Mr Mukhtar described the moment the attacker knocked on his car window on the morning of June 21.
‘I opened the window and he had a clear bottle from what I can remember and he squirted it at us. I thought it was water to begin with. I thought it was a practical joke.
‘Until my cousin started to scream. I was watching her burning. Next thing you know, I’m burning. The guy’s run off.’
Mr Muhktar and Miss Khan, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, tried to drive away after the attack in Beckton, east London, last week but the car crashed into a barrier.
He said: ‘ I’m burning, my seat’s burning, my trainers are burning. The skin on her face is peeling.
‘This is happening within seconds. I’ve put the window up… driving blind I decided to drive into the barrier. It was a really bad accident.’
The victims tried to strip off their clothes and were helped by members of the public who threw water on them. They were driven to a nearby hospital where they received skin grafts for severe injuries to their faces and bodies.
The public are advised not to approach Tomlin, who is described as 6ft tall and of stocky build with tear drops tattooed on each cheek.
Miss Khan said on Twitter she hoped the suspect was found and that she feared ‘she will never look the same again’. The business management student at Manchester Metropolitan University, had recently returned from an exchange year in Cyprus and was looking forward to starting a new job.
A friend has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for ongoing treatment for the pair, which has nearly reached its target total of £30,000. Thanking people for their support on social media, Miss Khan tweeted yesterday: ‘I am so confident my face and body will be back. I can’t wait to recover and have my hair and make-up done.
‘I survived an acid attack and a car crash. I welcome the job interview question, “describe a time you’ve overcome a hurdle”.’
Detective Superintendent Neil Matthews, of the Metropolitan Police, said: ‘I would like to reassure the public that our continued focus remains on finding the person responsible for this horrendous act of violence.’