Talks over Muslim women's safety

Some Muslim women in Wales have expressed safety concerns

A group of Welsh Muslim women have raised their concerns over safety with a Welsh assembly government minister following the bombings in London.

There has been an increase in attacks against Muslims reported in Wales since the 7 July bombings.

The group, from different areas of south Wales, met Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart at the assembly on Tuesday to tell her of their concerns.

Police and politicians have pledged action against race hate crimes.

Threatening letter

Since the four suicide bombers struck on London's transport network on 7 July, all four police forces in Wales have reported a rise in Islamophobic attacks.

In Cardiff, animal parts and a threatening letter were left at a mosque after a break-in shortly after the bombings.

A rally against racism was held in Cardiff on Saturday

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and members of his cabinet have already held several meetings with members of minority ethnic communities to discuss safety issues and policing matters since the first London attack.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain met Muslim community leaders in his Neath constituency to warn prejudice against Muslims because of the London bombs would not be tolerated.

Tuesday's meeting at the assembly covered shared concerns and fears the women and the assembly government have about community life in Wales in the wake of the bombings.

Aisha Ali was walking with her young son in his pushchair in Cardiff when she was menaced by a car driver.

'Scared'

She said: "I noticed this car on the road coming in the opposite direction and (the driver) took his hands off the steering wheel showed as if he was going to run us over.

"He had an evil look on his face (and was) gesturing that he wanted to run us over.

"It has made me frightened. If that incident didn't happen, I would have been alert but probably not so scared. After that, I know it's a lot more real."

Nadia Kidwai, 22, who was born and brought up in Wales, said: "I know someone who has had something happen to them. She had some verbal abuse and I think someone actually threw a bottle at her."

But both women also said the Muslim community must play an active part in tackling extremist views among their own.

Mainstream society

Ms Ali said Muslim parents need to take an active interest in their children's lives if they wanted to stamp out possible radical Islamic influences.

She said: "Both parents have to be more alert on where their children are going.

"If they are going to Islamic classes - to ask them the question what they did that day, what the imam said, what did they discuss, what did they learn?

"And if you get any hint of any extremism or any negative views, then you should be aware and hopefully you stop it before it escalates any further."

Ms Kidwai said: "It's important for all Muslim men and women to become more involved with the mainstream society, not to kind of segregate themselves off. That's the lesson we've learned.

"All these attackers have obviously been very isolated from the mainstream society. That's the danger.

"(We need) to show we are part of this community and we have a responsibility to the community."

First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who attended a meeting of Labour AMs, MPs and representatives from the Muslim communities on Friday, said: "No-one in Wales should have to endure violence, abusive or threatening behaviour because of the actions of the London bombers."