London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Aug 28, 2025

Mosque fire suspect arrested over second attack

Mosque fire suspect arrested over second attack

A man held after a pensioner was set alight as he left a Birmingham mosque has been arrested over a similar attack in west London last month.

An 82-year-old man was set alight outside a mosque in Ealing on 27 February. Mohammed Rayaz was set on fire in Edgbaston on Monday.

Mr Rayaz, 70, suffered severe burns to his face and arms.

Detectives, supported by counter-terror police, are questioning the suspect on suspicion of attempted murder.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said both incidents were now being linked and the man had been arrested over the Ealing attack on Wednesday.

Detectives from the Met and West Midlands Police were working closely together to establish the full circumstances.

While counter-terror police were involved, officers were keeping an open mind as to any potential motivation.

"At this stage we cannot speculate around the motive for the attacks, this is a live investigation and our main aim is to make sure communities are safe and that we bring justice for the victims," the West Midlands force said.

Mr Rayaz was set alight just after he left this mosque in Dudley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.


The victim in Ealing received hospital treatment for severe burns to his face and arms in the attack.

West Midlands Police said the suspect engaged the man in conversation as they both left the West London Islamic Centre.


'Abhorrent and malicious'


They spoke for a few minutes before the victim was doused in a liquid, believed to be petrol, and then set on fire.

In a statement on Wednesday, members of the mosque described the incidents as "abhorrent and malicious attacks on two elders within our community" and thanked police for their efforts.

"As we commence the blessed month of Ramadan, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," a spokesperson said.

The victim, whom they named as Mr Hashi, had been recuperating from his injuries following his release from hospital the next day.

He was lucky to have had a friend waiting nearby in his car at the time of the attack who reacted quickly by putting out the flames and calling the emergency services, the centre added.

Mr Rayaz remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital following a skin graft operation.

The retired factory worker was sprayed with a substance before his jacket was set on fire near his home on Shenstone Road, a short distance from the Dudley Road mosque he had left.

Scorch marks are on the pavement in Edgbaston where the attack happened


MP Shabana Mahmood, who has spoken to him on a video call, said he was "touched at the outpouring of love and support" since the attack.

Family lawyer Shahbon Hussain said he got a text message from Mr Rayaz's son moments afterwards.

"He heard his dad screaming, the family had gone out the house and seen him on fire," he said. "I immediately went over and the police, ambulance and fire brigade were already there."

Neighbours, who said they were concerned by the attack, also helped to put flames out and carry Mr Rayaz to his home.

Ms Mahmood, member for Birmingham Ladywood, organised a community walkabout on Wednesday with police to reassure Muslim communities on the eve of Ramadan.

Mr Hussain, who also chairs the local StreetWatch group, said he collated CCTV and doorbell footage for police via a WhatsApp group of 160 residents.

He added it would take a while for residents to feel safe as Ramadan got under way.

MP Shabana Mahmood said Mr Rayaz was "touched at the outpouring of love and support" he had received since the attack


Regarding the Ealing attack, Ch Supt Sean Wilson, of the Met's West Area Command, said: "We completely understand the shock that resonated throughout the community following this incident.

"Despite a man having been arrested, we continue to be vigilant and urge local people to do the same.

"Highly visible patrols around Singapore Road will continue in the coming days to provide reassurance to local people and I urge anyone who is concerned to approach officers."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
French and Korean Nuclear Majors Clash As EU Launches Foreign Subsidy Probe
EU Stands Firm on Digital Rules as Trump Warns of Retaliation
Getting Ready for the 3rd Time in Its History, Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for Teenagers
Argentine President Javier Milei Evacuated After Stones Thrown During Campaign Event
Denmark Confronts U.S. Diplomat Over Covert Trump-Linked Influence in Greenland
Starmer Should Back Away from ECHR, Says Jack Straw
Trump Demands RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son for Funding Violent Protests
Taylor Swift Announces Engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce
France May Need IMF Bailout, Warns Finance Minister
Chinese AI Chipmaker Cambricon Posts Record Profit as Beijing Pushes Pivot from Nvidia
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
The Porn Remains, Privacy Disappears: How Britain Broke the Internet in Ten Days
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Welcome to The Definition of Insanity: Germany Edition
Just a reminder, this is Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris.
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
×