- Al Falah Institute in Hayes faces a destructive arson attack, leaving a trail of destruction.
- The surprising lack of media coverage and women’s rights organizations’ silence raises concerns about selective reporting.
In a shocking and deeply unsettling incident that unfolded on the night of Tuesday, September 25, 2023, the Al Falah Institute, a registered charity situated at 14 Yeading Lane in Hayes (UB4 0E), was subjected to a devastating act of vandalism and arson. This Islamic women’s institution, dedicated to education and community enrichment, became the unfortunate target of unknown perpetrators who unleashed a wave of destruction upon its premises.
The harrowing saga began when these individuals forcibly entered the institute, looted its belongings, and left behind a scene of chaos and destruction. Authorities were immediately alerted to the intrusion, and the police were summoned to the location. What is truly shocking is that the responding officers allegedly informed the institute’s administrators that they were too preoccupied to attend immediately, promising to arrive at the scene in the morning. Tragically, this delay would prove to be costly, as the criminals returned later that same night, igniting a fire that engulfed the building in flames.
The ensuing inferno wreaked havoc on the Al Falah Institute, causing extensive damage to the property and reducing a significant portion of the facility to rubble. What is even more heart-wrenching is that nearly 100 Quranic texts and invaluable Islamic books, treasured by the community for their spiritual significance, were devoured by the merciless flames. Thankfully, while the institute itself has suffered immense damage, no individuals were physically harmed during this terrifying ordeal. Nevertheless, the attack has left the Muslim community and the women who regularly attend the institute in a state of profound anxiety and fear.
The Al Falah Institute has been a cornerstone of the local community, offering a wide array of services and programs to foster education, unity, and cultural understanding. For years, the institute has provided daily Islamic and Quranic classes that encompass Hifaz (memorization of the Quran), Tajweed (rules of Quranic recitation), and Tafseer (Quranic exegesis) from Monday to Friday. During school holidays, special courses are organized for children, providing them with opportunities for spiritual and educational growth.
Beyond religious education, the institute is known for its commitment to community engagement, hosting regular coffee mornings that bring together members of the local community, irrespective of their faith backgrounds. These events have played a vital role in fostering understanding and harmony among diverse groups. Moreover, the institute has organized cooking classes and provided ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), mathematics, and English language classes, contributing to the personal and professional development of countless individuals.
What is particularly disconcerting about this incident is the conspicuous absence of attention it has received from mainstream media outlets and the notable silence from women’s rights organizations. This raises critical questions about the selective reporting of such incidents and the apparent disparity in the level of concern demonstrated by advocacy groups.
As the Al Falah Institute grapples with the aftermath of this senseless and destructive attack, it is imperative for society to pause and reflect on the need for consistent attention and condemnation of all acts of vandalism, violence, and discrimination, irrespective of the religious or ethnic backgrounds of the victims. The administrators of the institute and its supporters fervently hope that justice will be swiftly served, and that this incident will serve as a catalyst for broader discussions about the importance of uniform reporting and unequivocal condemnation of such reprehensible acts.
The arson attack on the Al Falah Institute underscores the pressing need for solidarity and a unified stance against hatred and violence, and the institution’s resilience in the face of adversity serves as a testament to the strength of community bonds. It is incumbent upon us all to recognize that no act of aggression or discrimination should go unnoticed or uncondemned, and we must collectively strive for a world where every community, regardless of its beliefs, is treated with the respect and empathy it deserves.
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