A Muslim man who converted to Christianity has been beaten up on the streets of Britain in a brutal asssault that has gone viral on the internet after it was captured on the victim's home CCTV.

Nissar Hussain, who has six children aged between seven and 23, was hospitalised with a fractured left knee cap and left hand after the two hooded men leapt from a passing car and repeatedly beat him with a pick-axe handle in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where he lives.

Conversion to another religion is regarded in Islam as apostasy and is punishable by death according to Sharia law.

Hussain, aged 49, converted in 1996 but has had to be specially on guard against attack since he and his family appeared in a television documentary seven years ago which focused on Islamic intolerance towards converts.

He, his wife Kubra and their children have already had to move house once to escape retribution from Muslims angry that the family had left the faith.

He said: "The Muslim community are largely decent people but because of the taboo of converting to Christianity we are classed by them as scum and second-class citizens. Over the years our lives have been subjugated and stripped of any dignity.

"Our lives have been jeopardised and subjugated, we have been forced to live under a climate of fear, this is not England. I grew up in in to a free decent country accepting British values and the British rule of law."

The attack took place in Manningham, a Bradford suburb. Describing what happened from the ward where he is recovering in Bradford Royal Infirmary, he said: "I took a couple of steps into the road and suddenly a car pulled up in an abrupt manner – two guys got out out and I immediately saw the pickaxe handle. They have gone to crack me on the head so naturally I lifted my arm up to protect myself and the blow has popped my hand. I started backpedaling and my heel caught the kerb, I then fell back and me head cracked off a low garden wall. That was it then it was a lame target. They started pummeling me with the pickaxe handle, raining blows on my upper body and then moving to my legs - it was then I felt my knee explode. Thankfully one of my neighbours came over and the thugs went on their way. The only thing was going though my mind was I need to stay alive, to protect my head, and to stay alive."

West Yokshire Police are appealing for witnesses.  One of the suspects is described as an Asian male, about 6ft tall and of stocky build. Both men were wearing hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms.

Det Insp Andy Howard, of Bradford District CID, said: "Our enquiries suggest that this was a targeted attack and we would ask for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to contact Bradford District CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously, quoting crime reference 13150471087 on 0800 555111."

Police are also asking for information about a red or maroon coloured saloon car which would have been seen in the Manningham area prior to this incident. This could possibly have been an older shape Honda Civic or a Rover 400. 

The attack was caught on Mr Hussain's home CCTV. Mr Hussain has been attacked before and has pleaded repeatedly for the police to do more to protect his family.