Police in north London are investigating an arson attack which completely destroyed a community centre used by Somali Muslim immigrants, following fears the attack was carried out by far-right extremists.
Specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit were drafted in after "EDL" – which stands for the English Defence League – was found graffitied at the scene of the Muswell Hill Somalian Islamic Bravanese Welfare Association. Initially, it was claimed the al-Rahma Islamic Centre was a mosque, though community leaders moved quickly to clarify that, while it does have a prayer centre, it is not formally a mosque since it is not used for all five of the faith's daily prayers.
Dozens of attacks on Muslims have taken place since the Woolwich murder, but the Muswell Hill fire – if it is confirmed as arson, as most people believed it to be last night – would be by far the most serious attack. One of the centre’s leaders, Abubakar Ali told reporters: “The Somali community is in fear. We are all shocked about what has happened and we strongly condemn the attack on the centre. We are appalled and deeply saddened by the horrific and foolish act against a peaceful community.”
Praising the response of locals as “amazing”, Cmdr Adrian Usher of the Metropolitan Police said he had received offers of support for the Somali community from other faiths in the borough “before 8am in the morning”.
Urging people to stay calm, Cmdr Usher warned that police will need time to investigate: “I am writing to you to ask for your patience, and to remain calm until we get to the facts. Rest assured we recognise the importance of what has occurred.”
'Disgraceful incident'
Local Jewish rabbi David Mason said they would work with the Somali community to ensure "they have all the support they need and that this disgraceful incident does not disrupt the harmony that exists between all our local communities".
Denying involvement, EDL leader Stephen Lennon, who operates under the name of Tommy Robinson, complained about the links being made, saying no evidence existed that EDL graffiti was ever there.
Firemen spotted the “EDL” graffiti as they brought the blaze on Coppetts Road, first noticed at 3.15am, under control.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson accepts the fire was the work of arsonists: “There is no place in an open, tolerant and diverse city like London for hate, for prejudice, for violence,” he said.
One Somali community leader, Ahmed Ali, said the EDL graffiti had been visible to him when he arrived half-way through the blaze: “We’re gutted and shattered, it’s heart-breaking.”
