A group of key members of the community have united in the fight against racism, after a spate of attacks on places of worship.

From firefighters, to doctors, to priests, police officers and trade union members, more than 70 people have signed an open letter in support of victimised religious groups.

It comes after graves at Chatham Memorial Synagogue, in Rochester High Street, were vandalised, and excrement was smeared on the front door in early October, just before the Jewish Holy Day of Yom Kippur.

Police launched an investigation into the incident and declared it to be a hate crime.

Now it has emerged that around two weeks after the attack on the Jewish faith building, the construction site of a new mosque in Railway Street, Gillingham, was set alight on Monday, October 14.

The new place of Muslim worship is being built as Jamia Mosque in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, is filled to capacity.

Members of Medway Stand Up To Racism believe the fire was arson and a hate-fuelled attack and have penned a letter in response to the violence.

It reads: “We were appalled to learn of the recent attack on the burial ground at Chatham Synagogue and what appears to have been an arson attack on the construction site of the new mosque being built in Gillingham.

“Thankfully nobody was hurt in either of these incidents, but they are motivated by the same hatred that fuelled the killings in the recent attack on a synagogue in Halle in Germany and the killings in the attack on two mosques in New Zealand.

“We condemn the increasing atmosphere of racism that scapegoats minority groups as well as migrants and refugees.

“We stand in solidarity with both the Jewish and Muslim communities and all targets of racist attacks.

“We invite all those who share our concerns to join with us in Stand Up To Racism in opposing racism in all its forms and call on politicians, both local and national, to do the same.”

The group is a community organisation, initially set up by the Medway Trades Union Council.

Member Steve Wilkins said: “As part of stand up to racism we wanted to respond to that so we decided to have an open letter and have as many signatures as we could.

“We wanted to show the reality, anti-racists are the majority. Some people might think most people are racist but that’s not true.

“Therefore it’s a message to the perpetrators, and the people who sympathise with them, but also to the victims - we’re with you, anti-racism is the norm.

“We’ve had enormous support from the Muslim community; many members of the mosque are members to stand up to racism.”

Members of Medway’s Muslim community are no stranger to racist attacks.

Ajaib Hussain, who is also a member of Medway Interfaith Action Group, said: “I pray in the mosque here as well as my local one in Chatham.

“Specifically this year we’ve had two incidents. The window on the side, which is the ladies’ entrance, was smashed.

“We’ve got a new mosque being built further down. The old mosque is full now so there is a new one being built, which was set on fire and that was an arson attack. ”

Previously the Muslim community has been subjected to taunts from Britain First, a far-right political organisation.

Malik Zubair, who works on outreach projects in the Towns, said: “There have been so many times when people have come here, like Britain First.

“Sometimes people are harassed when going in to pray - even my kids. They provoke us and belittle us.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they attended the mosque incident.

Spokesman Bethany Park said: " Two fire engines were sent to the scene and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to tackle the fire."

They passed on to police, who are treating the incident as suspicious.

Officers reviewed CCTV in the area but so far no arrests have been made and no evidence suggests the fire was a hate crime.

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