Fife Muslims 'Angry And Afraid' After Rise In Attacks

Community leaders are calling for peace in Fife following the Paris attacks

An increase in Islamophobic attacks in Fife over the last few days has left the Muslim community 'angry and afraid'.

There have been a small number of abusive incidents in the Kingdom following the terror attacks in Paris, in which 129 people died and over 300 were injured.

All of the victims have now been identified. Police have been carrying out operations to catch suspects in the Saint-Denis suburb of the French capital.

Gang of youths

One attack by around 15 youths left a Methil takeaway owner in hospital. Two men, aged 17 and 35, have been charged in connection with the incident at Caspian Fast Food on Wellesley Road

Dr Bashir Oudeh is from FRAE Fife, he told Kingdom FM News what Muslims in Fife have been subjected to:

Dr Junaid Syed, the chair of Fife Interfaith Group, said in an open letter: "Unfortunately such individuals are determined to ignore the heartfelt expressions of shared sorrow and the denunciations of terrorism which have been eloquently made by Muslim leaders in Scotland and elsewhere.

"We believe, as these leaders have stated, that the twisted ideology of the perpetrators has nothing to do with Islam."

Social media

Meanwhile, a Fife scholar is calling on Fifers to use social media to educate people on the true meaning of Islam.

Mansoor Mahmood is the Imam of Kirkcaldy central mosque, he is shocked and angered at attacks on the Islamic community in Fife. He said much of the abuse is deeply upsetting:

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