Turkey Earthquake: London Mosque Receives Letter Saying ‘Sorry Not More Muslims Died’
Hackney’s Masjid Ramadan, also known as Shacklewell Lane Mosque, has been helping to collect supplies to send to areas hit by the earthquakes.
Confirmed that 41,000 people lost their lives in both countries as a result of natural disasters.
However, the mosque’s chairman, Erkin Guney, was heartbroken after he was sent a letter full of horrific Islamophobic insults.
He says the incident left him “wordless” after realizing the heinous letter was an attack on his community.
Guney told MyLondon: “We received a letter in the post today and it’s very worrying.
“As a Muslim and as a Turkish Cypriot I can only pray for the person who sent it because they need help.”
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The mosque chairman originally believed the letter was from a local resident who wanted to express his condolences.
“This heartfelt letter is intended to express my sincere sorrow at the events in Turkey and Syria,” they began.
However, it soon became apparent that this was far from the case, as the letter continued: “I want to make it clear that it is not with heartfelt sadness that I feel that thousands of people have died.
“I’m just really sorry that more Muslims didn’t die.”
The author says they had hoped there would be “at least over two million deaths,” adding, “It’s extremely comforting to know that many of your goateed participants will no doubt have lost many family members in the wake of the earthquake.
“This has to be the best news someone who hates Muslims as much as I do can hear. It’s just fantastic!’
Mr Guney says he intends to forward the letter to the police, adding: “My stomach turns and at the same time I feel sorry for this person because the people who taught him to be like that make me sad .
“This person obviously has mental illness. It’s a hate crime to wish not enough of us would die. This will be forwarded to the police.’
The latest death toll was 35,418 in Turkey and more than 5,800 in Syria.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to open two new border crossings at Bab Al-Salam and Al Raee from Turkey to rebel-held areas so aid can be delivered, the UN also said.
The first supply plane from Saudi Arabia landed in Aleppo, Syria yesterday morning with 35 tons of food.
Saudis have donated £41m so far. Britain’s Disasters Emergency Committee launched an appeal last week, raising more than £60million.
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https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/16/turkey-earthquake-london-mosque-receives-letter-saying-sorry-more-muslims-didnt-die-18294402/ Turkey Earthquake: London Mosque Receives Letter Saying 'Sorry Not More Muslims Died'