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East London attack: Acid attack suspect hands himself in

Dunya News

The attack on two Muslim cousins had left the community in fear and panic

(Web Desk) – John Tomlin, 24, was named as the chief suspect in an acid attack in east London has handed himself. The man was arrested on suspicion of ‘grievous bodily harm’ with intent, according to the BBC.

Two Muslim cousins Jameel Mukhtar, 37, and Resham Khan, 21, became the victims of an unprovoked acid attack, in east London on June 21. They were sitting in the car at the traffic lights when the attacker sprayed acid on them. The attack left both cousins with severe burns on the face and body.

They were left with life changing injuries. Speaking to Channel 4, Jameel Mukhtar 37 said he and his cousin were the prime targets of a hate crime. “It’s definitely a hate crime” he told Channel 4 News.

“I believe it’s something to do with Islamophobia. Maybe he’s got it in for Muslims because of the things that have been going on lately.”
Mukhtar insisted that this was related to a hate crime and the police must take that into a consideration. East London police after the attack had no initial proof to declare the attack was racially or religiously motivated.

The Metropolitan police London released a picture of the attacker John Tomlin, 24 and warned public not to approach him, reported by the Guardian.
Resham Khan, 21, an aspiring model was celebrating her 21st birthday when she and her cousin were attacked near east London. Khan, who is from Manchester said she had had skin grafts and was wondering whether her life would ever be the same again. The 21-year-old came to London with her cousin to celebrate her birthday.

A university friend of Khan, Daniel Mann, started a crowdfunding page for the victim which received countless donations a third more than the 30,000 British pounds target. Mann said the incident who has forced Khan and Mukhtar to “put their lives on hold”.

After her attack, Resham Khan has been actively using social media to express her experiences. In a Facebook post, Khan said she did not want the acid attack on her to “fuel a division among people”.

“At a time when all I am being sent is positivity and love, please don’t let this man anger you or categorise others,” she wrote.

“From a large majority, there will always be a sick and twisted minority. Stop tearing each other down, stop arguing religion and politics. Make peace with each other and the world. Letting this man or the events of the past fill you up with hate will only darken the soul.”

Resham Khan has tweeted about her inspirations like Katie Piper who was also a victim of an acid attack, Piper received massive burns due to Sulphuric Acid thrown at her face.

Khan also tweets about the negative messages that she has received after her attack.

Despite the negativity she has remained focused and positive about her goals. Resham Khan has started her own website ReshamOnline, in which she wants to start campaigning against the acid attacks, she writes on her website,

" I was in the papers in Saudi Arabia, on the news in Pakistan. I had messages from well wishers from Canada, South Africa, everywhere! I had an unbelievable number of media requests. I still get them, daily. However, I feel like I don’t really need to discuss my attack for others to look at me with sadness. I knew the media coverage and platform could be useful, but didn’t know what for. Then came the news reports. Whilst I sat in hospital recovering, I’m seeing and hearing about all of these acid attacks taking place throughout London. I don’t care who was being attacked, the bottom line is people are being hurt severely and this needed to stop. " 

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