Pig’s head thrown through Muslim family’s window in suspected hate crime in Manchester
Family left shaken after incident with children asking ‘uncomfortable questions’
A handout picture released by the police shows the pig's head and damage caused after attack on the family's home.
Police in the UK are investigating a suspected incident of hate crime in which a bloodied pig head was hurled through the window of a Muslim family living in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Ajaz Mahmood’s wife and their four children were at home on a quiet Saturday night when a brick came through their window and into their living room, followed by the animal’s head.
“This was a disgusting act against an innocent family who have lived in this community for years,” detective chief inspector Chris Downey said. “We are treating this appalling incident as a hate crime.”
Pig's head left outside Quebec City mosque with 'bon appétit' note
Mahmood had rushed home from work after he received a call from his wife, hearing “hysterical screaming” in the background. “She was screaming, hysterical,” he said. “I only realised when I got into my front room there was a pig’s head there, wedged between the arms of the sofa, wrapped in plastic. I thought it was absolutely disgusting.”
Although no one was injured in the incident the family have been left shaken by the incident with children asking “uncomfortable questions” about why their family was singled out.
“It’s strange and very disturbing. The kids are absolutely petrified,” the Manchester Evening News quoted Mahmood as saying. “My daughter is only a child, she doesn't understand what's gone on,” he said. “She's asking questions – why the window has been smashed, why that head has been thrown through. They're both asking questions. How do you explain that to a 6-year-old? What do you say to them? I told them they're just mindless people that have done that.”
Bag containing a pig’s head left outside Islamic school in Australia
Delving into the details of the incident, police said a man got out of the backseat of a Vauxhall Corsa, where there were other men, and then hurled both objects at the home in Chapel Lane, Oldham. The suspect has been described as a man, about 18 years of age, wearing a black hoody which was pulled up over his head.
“The family were extremely shook up by this and we have been out to see them to offer assurance that we will do everything in our power to track the offenders down,” detective Downey said. He appealed for anyone with information to contact police by calling 0161 856 8972 or phoning the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Items have previously been thrown at people and left outside schools and mosques in an attempt to offend worshippers. A spike in hate crime has been recorded across the UK in the wake of last year's EU referendum, with the latest incident coming days after a Muslim surgeon was stabbed in nearby Trafford.
Ajaz Mahmood’s wife and their four children were at home on a quiet Saturday night when a brick came through their window and into their living room, followed by the animal’s head.
“This was a disgusting act against an innocent family who have lived in this community for years,” detective chief inspector Chris Downey said. “We are treating this appalling incident as a hate crime.”
Pig's head left outside Quebec City mosque with 'bon appétit' note
Mahmood had rushed home from work after he received a call from his wife, hearing “hysterical screaming” in the background. “She was screaming, hysterical,” he said. “I only realised when I got into my front room there was a pig’s head there, wedged between the arms of the sofa, wrapped in plastic. I thought it was absolutely disgusting.”
Although no one was injured in the incident the family have been left shaken by the incident with children asking “uncomfortable questions” about why their family was singled out.
“It’s strange and very disturbing. The kids are absolutely petrified,” the Manchester Evening News quoted Mahmood as saying. “My daughter is only a child, she doesn't understand what's gone on,” he said. “She's asking questions – why the window has been smashed, why that head has been thrown through. They're both asking questions. How do you explain that to a 6-year-old? What do you say to them? I told them they're just mindless people that have done that.”
Bag containing a pig’s head left outside Islamic school in Australia
Delving into the details of the incident, police said a man got out of the backseat of a Vauxhall Corsa, where there were other men, and then hurled both objects at the home in Chapel Lane, Oldham. The suspect has been described as a man, about 18 years of age, wearing a black hoody which was pulled up over his head.
“The family were extremely shook up by this and we have been out to see them to offer assurance that we will do everything in our power to track the offenders down,” detective Downey said. He appealed for anyone with information to contact police by calling 0161 856 8972 or phoning the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Items have previously been thrown at people and left outside schools and mosques in an attempt to offend worshippers. A spike in hate crime has been recorded across the UK in the wake of last year's EU referendum, with the latest incident coming days after a Muslim surgeon was stabbed in nearby Trafford.