Mosque standing firm after bomb threat

WORSHIPPERS are “very frightened” but carrying on as normal after neo-Nazis sent a bomb threat to their mosque, addressing it to Muslim scum.

The letter arrived at Jamia Masjid Abu Bakr on Russell Street, Eastwood, on August 1.

Police are investigating but mosque authorities worry that it is not being taken seriously.

It reads: “Next time it will be a bomb, you Muslim scum,” written in capital letters with a red ball-point pen.

The sender signed off with Nazi numerals 14, code for the 14-word creed of white supremacists and 88, representing HH —short for Heil Hitler.

Sabir Hussain, the mosque’s secretary, said: “We take this very seriously, especially since the murder of Jo Cox.

“If the far-right is willing to kill an MP, they could do it to anyone. We do not think these are empty threats.

“It’s having a detrimental effect on the congregation. We’re very frightened because, if this happened on a Friday, we’d be talking about hundreds of casualties.

Mr Hussain added: “A local bobby came and took the letter away, but we think this is more serious than that.

“We think there should have been a whole response team down here.

“If this had been an ISIS threat the police and the national media would be all over it.

“But because it’sthe far right, it’s not being taken very seriously.”

Officers were notified on August 6 of the delivery, a police spokeswoman said. She added an “extensive amount” action had been taken to investigate the incident.

The spokeswoman said: “Direct contact has been made with the leaders at the mosque to ensure all messages and information can be effectively and swiftly cascaded directly through to the community.

“In addition, specialist officers have been engaging with people at the mosque, as well as the local community, offering advice and information on this type of crime, how to remain vigilant and emphasising the importance of reporting crimes of this nature to the police to ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation can commence.

“Various enquiries are ongoing in the area to gather intelligence and forensic teams are conducting various enquiries in regards to the communication received to identify the author.”

Cllr Saghir Alam, who represents Boston Castle ward, is also chairman of Rotherham Council of Mosques.

He said: “The Council of Mosques condemns this incident of terror, targeting a place of worship and causing fear in the community.

“It’s very distressing for the people of Eastwood but police are investigating.

He added: “I urge all mosques in Rotherham to be vigilant and report any hate crime or targeted incidents to South Yorkshire Police.

“Hopefully, we will not let this behaviour divide our communities.”