Systematic Islamophobia in West Results in Evident Violence: FM Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani expressed his concern over the recent burning of an elderly Muslim man in Birmingham, England, as he left a mosque.
Kanaani wrote in a tweet that this act is a result of “systematic Islamophobia in the West, which leads to widespread hatred and violence.”
He called on the British government to investigate thoroughly and release the results of their investigation.
"The act of burning an elderly Muslim man in public in the streets of Birmingham, England, while he was leaving the mosque, is horrifying and shocking. Systematic Islamophobia in the West results in widespread hatred and evident violence. The British government has an immediate responsibility to conduct a thorough investigation into this brutal act and announce its results," Kanaani wrote.
In another comment on the incident, the spokesperson expressed concern about “institutionalized racism in the British police.”
"Of course, recent reports on institutionalized racism in the British police are also more concerning and noteworthy," the spokesperson added.
On Monday, Birmingham Police arrested a person on suspicion of attempted murder after an elderly Muslim worshipper was set alight as he walked home from a mosque at 7 p.m. local time.
West Midlands police said that the suspect briefly spoke with the victim before spraying him with an unknown substance and setting his jacket on fire, which spread to his face. The man was taken to hospital with what police described as serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Footage of the incident later circulated on social media.