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Students in fear of new race hate gang attacks
MUSLIM students who were brutally targeted by racist thugs fear more violence after spotting some of their attackers patrolling near the university campus on bikes.
Four Muslim students from City University, Finsbury, were stabbed during two ambushes by a mob of 30 racist white and black thugs on November 5. Both attacks were sprung by a gang armed with knives, bricks and metal poles, close to the university in St John Street and six Asian students were left needing hospital treatment.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area over the last two weeks but the students fear that it may not be long before they are targeted again after seeing "lookouts" who they believe may be reporting back to other gang members.
Third year student Ali Elhamamy, 22, of the university's Islamic Society, said: "We have seen some of the gang cycling around on their bikes so we are still on alert.
"They are not at all intimidated by the police and happily cycle right under their noses. We don't expect the police to keep up such a presence, so we are worried that when they go it will start again."
The attacks followed an earlier assault in which students were pelted with bricks and metal poles as they left the university's prayer room in Gloucester Way. Councillor Terry Stacy, leader of Islington Council, said: "Residents are rightly horrified at the recent apparently Islamophobic and racially motivated attacks on City University students. The borough's good reputation for community relations is being tarnished by the actions of a few isolated individuals."
An e-mail from Professor Julius Weinberg, the university's acting vice-chancellor, was sent to all staff and students outlining increased police and campus security patrols. It read: "The university is taking this matter very seriously. The safety of students and staff is of the upmost importance.
"Can I urge you to take sensible precautions in the local streets and to avoid doing anything which could be seen as encouraging violence. Things that should be normal behaviour - gathering together in a group and chatting for example - may, in certain areas, be seen as provocative."
But the university's Islamic Society has issued its own safety tips.
Mr Elhamamy said: "We are urging female students to go home before dark at around 4pm and are urging all Muslim students to leave in groups and head towards Angel Tube station together. We need people to be vigilant and report anything suspicious."
Three men aged 17, 18 and 19 were arrested in connection with the attacks and released on bail until January. They have been banned from going within 100 metres of the university and must not contact any students or witnesses.
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