UK: Somali paper target of attack, receive donation to continue working

UK: Somali paper target of attack, receive donation to continue working


Fear fell over Bristol’s Somali community when a prominent community newspaper became the latest target of what seems to be a racially motivated attack.


The Islamophobic attack came in the form of a midnight fire set to the Somali Voice newspaper offices serving the local Somali community.


The fire, which was started during the early hours of July 22, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and spread panic like wildfire amongst the Somali residents of Bristol. Luckily, nobody was physically hurt.


Kayse Maxamed, the full time Editor and founder of the Somali Voice was severely distressed by the incident.


With all the computers severely damaged and all saved data lost, Maxamed voiced his concerns over the financial means necessary to get the newspaper office up and running.


He urged the local Somali Community to come forward and donate whatever possible in terms of replacement furniture and computers. Maxamed had not insured any of the contents as he did not think it necessary as he never thought that anything like this would ever happen.


The fire was started just hours after a meeting consisting of Bristol police and elders of the Somali community was interrupted by a masked intruder, shouting racial abuse at the Somalis. The situation was dealt with calmly.


Maxamed expressed his determination to carry on his work for the Somali community. He told The Muslim News, “We are determined to continue our work and will not be threatened by anyone.” Referring to the tip off that a member of the Central Mosque of Bristol had given to Bristol Police regarding would-be terrorist, Andrew Ibrahim, Maxamed added that regardless of what his community does, “Muslims will still always be seen as outsiders.”


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The Somali newspaper in Bristol has been given £3,000 worth of equipment to get back on its feet after a fire devastated its offices.


Frendoc, the not-for-profit out of hours GP service, has donated two PCs and a computer software programme so the Easton-based bilingual publication can continue to serve the community.


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"It's great news that Frendoc can help us out," he said. "A lot of people are angry about what happened but we just want to get up and running again and continue to work for the people of Bristol."


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Source: Muslim News, This is Bristol