The local community stood together in solidarity against hate crime and terrorism at a vigil held outside Lincoln’s mosque on Friday afternoon.
Up to 40 people attended the ‘We Stand Together’ event outside the mosque on Dixon Street which was organised by 19-year-old Lincoln student Amber Marshall.
People held up placards showing their support to the local Muslim community.
Amber Marshall organised the event. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
The incident prompted Muslim leaders at the Lincoln mosque to ask for more security at their Friday prayers.
They welcomed the supported of Amber and others attending the event which helped show the unity in the local community.
The local community gathered to show its support at Lincoln’s mosque. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
‘Amazing response’
Amber, who was later invited into the mosque, told The Lincolnite that after seeing a lot of negativity on social media and the events happening in New Zealand she felt she had to do something about it.
She saw that a man in Liverpool stood outside a mosque with a sign to show support and decided she would do the same.
The community at Lincoln mosque were grateful for Amber’s support and came out with drinks and snacks for everyone during the event.
Abdul Malik was serving refreshments to people at the event. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
Amber said: “We are standing here to show the Muslim community that we’re here for them and we want to keep them safe and they’re our friends.
“I think the response has been absolutely amazing. So many people have been coming up to me with such positivity.
“I’m a campaigner at heart. I don’t practice any faith, I don’t follow a religion, but for me if someone feels unsafe going to something they believe in because of something that’s happened that isn’t right and I want to do something about it.”
Elizabeth Strafford was among the supporters at the event. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
Elizabeth Strafford was among the supporters at the event. She added: “It’s not right that basically they can’t have peace in their place of worship.
“They should have the right to be able to practice their religion freely and openly without fear of being hurt or being scrutinised for what they believe.”
Imam Atique Rahman, Vice Chairman of the Islamic Association of Lincoln Salman Rabbaani, Amber Marshall and head of education and general manager at the mosque Moulana Zaman. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
United community
Head of education and general manager at the mosque Moulana Zaman told The Lincolnite: “Amber has done a fantastic job for us and we are in debt of her support, and the people who have also responded to her invitation, to show their solidarity and support to us.
“There are no words to share my feelings. All I can say is that it demonstrates the unity and our feeling as a community that we are always together and standing with each other.
“It’s a very strong link of our unity. Although we may have differences in our practices, our values are equal and we are always in support of each other.
“The Muslims in Lincoln feel last week’s attack has opened a door to show that we have a good relationship and connection with each other, we are not evil people. The support of the community is a sign that we stand with each others feelings.”
Ahmed Basher and Dr Shuja Khatib (second and third from left) are founder members of the mosque when it was previously situated on Orchard Street from 1981. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
Vice chairman of the Islamic Association of Lincoln Salman Rabbaani said he is grateful for the support of the local community, council and police.
He said: “I’m very happy and pleased with the response of the local community in supporting us, particularly after the horrific tragedy which happened in New Zealand. I’m very glad that there’s a good turnout and the people really support us at this time of need.
“This and last week’s support, plus the other support from the media, local police and council, has been very reassuring to us and that we can all live in peace together and we can count on people here.”
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After garnering media attention from around the world, residents of Grantham have had their say on the new Margaret Thatcher statue.
The Lincolnite Podcast host Ronnie Byrne travelled to the Iron Lady’s birthplace to ask passers-by what they made of the £300,000 memorial.
Of the 17 people asked, all 17 supported the statue as a tribute to the former prime minister’s legacy, but only three were willing to express their views in a recorded format.
While the new erection was gauged by all as a fitting memorial to Thatcher’s legacy, not all assessments were without complaint, with one person describing it as “a bit boring”.
Another was shocked the figure was missing her signature handbag.
Hit the play button below to listen:
The statue has been the subject of international headlines this week, after footage appeared online of a man launching eggs at the effigy, just hours after its installation.
The man was later identified as 59-year-old Jeremy Webster, the deputy director of the Attenborough Arts Centre at the University of Leicester.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witness as the investigation continues into a fire which ripped through the roofs and caused severe damage to three terraced houses in Louth.
The fire on Gresley Road was called in to Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue in the early hours of on Wednesday, May 18. Crews from Louth, Binbrook, Mabelthorpe, Grantham and Alford initially attended the scene to battle the fire, and nearby residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed.
The incident was reported to police just after 12.30am and officers attended to provide support on scene. No casualties were reported in the fire and Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue launched a fire investigation on Wednesday morning.
The aftermath of the fire. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Fire crews attended the scene. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and Lincolnshire Police said: “While we are keeping an open mind about the circumstances, we are working with the fire investigators in an attempt to establish the cause, with is currently being investigated by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.
“We would like to appeal for anyone who may have been in the area of Gresley Street in the time leading up to the fire being reported, or immediately afterwards, to contact police with any information. If you have any dashcam or Go-Pro footage of the area or incident of that time we would also like to see it.”
Three terraced properties were damaged in the fire. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Photos from the scene show the damage to the roofs of the properties, with sections of them totally blackened and destroyed.
A police cordon was put in place and occupants of the homes were provided support from the British Red Cross’ Lincolnshire Emergency Response team.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue said: “This involves three terraced houses – damage by fire predominantly to roof spaces and upstairs, with damage by smoke to remainder of properties. No casualties reported. Fire investigation is taking place this morning.”
*Louth Update* Fire damage to roofs & first floors of 3 properties. Crews extinguished using breathing apparatus, 3 hose reels, 1 main jet & thermal imaging cameras. No casualties reported. @BRCLIncsER provided support to occupants. Cause is to be determined
— Lincs Fire & Rescue (@LincsFireRescue) May 18, 2022
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident 9 of May 18.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.
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