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Racist attacks related to the Gulf war

01 January 1991

Racist attacks related to the Gulf war
artdoc June=1991

A Sikh temple in Fenton had its windows smashed. A message
attached to a missile read `For the lads in the Gulf.' A
spokesman for the Ram Garhia Gurdwara said, `We condemn this
disgraceful attack. We are a religious group, totally
non-political. We are not Iraqi, we are Indian.' (Eastern Eye
19.2.91)
The Whitechapel mosque has had five stars of David carved
into its doors and its windows smashed. (East London Advertiser
1.3.91; Asian Times 19.2.91) A Charlton, south-east London,
mosque was attacked, causing ¼5,000 worth of damage.(GACARA
21.2.91) A Sikh temple in Gravesend had its windows smashed and
threatening letters were sent to Asian families living in the
area. The Canning Town Community Centre, the Sunni Razvi Jamia
mosque, and the Islamic Centre, all in Newham, were sent
National Front literature. (Newham Docklands Recorder 7.2.91)

An incendiary device was recently found in the offices of
Jewish Care, a charity in north London. Bomb disposal experts
were able to defuse the bomb before it detonated. (Times
13.2.91)
Racial harassment and attacks against Edinburgh's Arab and
Asian population have increased as a direct consequence of the
Gulf war. Lothian Racial Equality Council reports that Asian
shopkeepers have had their shops attacked, BNP stickers have
appeared throughout the city, and people with Muslim last names
are receiving racist phone calls. (Edinburgh Evening News
25.2.91)

IRR Police-Media Bulletin no 68. Institute of Race Relations,
2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X 9HS.