Family tells of ‘unimaginable pain’ of fire attack victim
A70-YEAR-OLD man suffered “unimaginable pain” after he was set alight just yards from his house in an attack that has “torn our family apart”, his son reportedly said.
Mohammed Rayaz was set on fire as he walked home from Dudley Road Mosque in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham at about 7pm on Monday, March 20.
Mr Rayaz was retired and planned to spend his life “by praying and spending time with his grandchildren” - but his attacker “took that away from him and caused him lots of unimaginable pain,” his son said in a statement on behalf of their family. The family “is in a state of shock and trying to understand why someone would do this,” his son reportedly added.
Solicitor Shabron Hussain said: “Mr Rayaz’s son said he is stable, not critical, but remains in intensive care. He is having skin grafts. He has severe burns to his face, hands and chest. He’s not able to open his eyes. The family are devastated and distressed.”
The family has also thanked the emergency services, councillors, the family solicitor and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for their ‘immense efforts.’
They also said their thoughts were with Hashi Odowa, the 82-year-old, another pensioner set on fire in the Ealing area of London. They added: “I hope no one has to go through what our family is going through as it has torn our family apart.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for CCTV, doorbell footage or other video that could help the investigation.
EXTRA security measures are being put in place at the mosque.
Masjid & Madrasa Faiz-ul-Quran treasurer Mahmood Khan said: “It’s been very bad. It should have never happened but it did. The community is very upset about it, the chap who got burnt is a very nice man. He is an old man, a very nice man, lovely. He is a family man, a part of the community.”
When asked if worshippers were scared to go to the mosque, he replied: “We’re going to display more security for the prayer time, especially during Ramadan. Everyone will be coming.”
Chief Supt Richard North, Commander at Birmingham police, said that people in Birmingham were free to go out and worship, but they should stay vigilant.
He said: “We have officers patrolling the local area to reassure people and we are visiting local faith establishments to keep them informed.”
A suspect has appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted murder after the attacks in Birmingham and London.
Mohammed Abbkr, 28, from Edgbaston in Birmingham, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and was remanded in custody. He is due at a crown court on April 20.