A Christian woman in Bradford gave a Muslim butcher a cheque for £1,000 enclosed in a note about the teachings of Jesus after the butcher suffered serious injuries and the loss of £3,000 when his shop was robbed.
Mohammed Riaz, 58, was left with a suspected broken jaw, loosened teeth and cuts and bruises after the attack at his shop, The Meat Hut, on 3 July, ahead of Eid celebrations.
Riaz and his family have been moved by the response of the local community. In particular, they were touched by the letter from a woman only identified as Jane. It read:
"Dear Mr Riaz,
I was so sorry to read in (local paper) 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"
Riaz's daughter, Nafeesa, 26, told the Huffington Post: "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."
Riaz was reportedly back to work the day after the attack in order to make sure he did not let down customers during Eid, with local well-wishers visiting the shop with gifts, flowers and cards.
Riaz's 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 were arrested in over the incident: Leonard Brown, aged 24 of Tamar Street, Bradford, was charged with robbery and appeared at Bradford Magistrates on 7 July before being remanded in custody for a date to be fixed to appear at Crown Court. Another 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.
