A Muslim butcher who suffered serious injuries in a robbery at his shop has received a touching gesture from a Christian woman who read about his plight.
Mohammed Riaz was left with a suspected broken jaw, loosened teeth and cuts and bruises after the attack at his shop The Meat Hut in Bradford on 3 July.
£3,000 was also stolen in the incident, which occurred just ahead of Eid celebrations.
But the 58-year-old and his family have been left deeply touched by the response from the local community.
In particular, Riaz received a letter from one woman who had read about the attack in a local newspaper.
The woman, identified by the family only as Jane, sent him the following handwritten note:
Dear Mr Riaz,
I was so sorry to read in the Telegraph and Argus of the attack on your shop. I am a Christian, and Jesus Christ taught that when we see someone in trouble we should not walk by without helping. Please accept this cheque [for] £1,000 to contribute to your Eid celebrations.
With good wishes,
Jane
Daughter Nafeesa, 26, told Huffington Post UK: “This woman’s kindness had us all in tears. We were so touched by the letter and cheque which we received.
“This amazing lady was a Christian, and we are Muslims. She doesn’t know us nor does she live in the area. What she did for us was such a kind and caring act. It just goes to show that regardless of our race or religion, we are all one.
“My family will be meeting her on Friday to thank her in person.”
A local newspaper reported that despite his painful injuries, Riaz was back to work the day after the attack, such was his determination not to let his customers down during Eid.
And local well-wishers have been visiting the store with cards, flowers and even gifts for the brave butcher.
His brother-in-law told the Telegraph and Argus: “He has been so touched by people’s kindness he has been in tears. He wants to publicly give a big thank-you to everyone who has been so supportive.
“He is still in a lot of pain from his ribs and he will have X-rays for that. But it can take much longer for the psychological scars to heal than the physical ones. All this support has put him back on his feet psychologically.”
Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Leonard Brown, aged 24 of Tamar Street, Bradford, was charged with robbery and appeared at Bradford Magistrates on 7 July. He was remanded in custody for a date to be fixed to appear at Crown Court.
A 20-year-old man from Bradford has been bailed pending further enquiries and a 27-year-old man also from Bradford was released without charge.