MUSLIMS in Swindon fear they will be exposed to more hate as the holy month of Ramadan gets closer.

Mohummed Limbada, Imam at the Broadgreen Mosque highlighted the potential risk of increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes during Ramadan, a spiritual month of fasting and prayer.

“Because there is a greater presence of Muslims around the mosque in town, we do feel more in danger, that’s why we get more support from the police during the month of Ramadan.

“There are more people out on the street late in the night and early in the morning, so we have to be vigilant, especially for people like me dressed in their full Islamic clothes. We have hope of the people of Swindon that they will understand us and will appreciate us for who we are as a peaceful group.”

Wiltshire victim support also expressed its concerns about the safety of the Muslim community across the county. Contract account manager Wayne Steven said: “We know that the majority of hate crimes committed in England and Wales are religiously or racially motivated. Hate crime is an extremely personal attack as it often targets a fundamental part of someone’s identity. These attacks are distressing and can have both a physical and emotional impact on victims. This can be particularly upsetting during a month such as Ramadan, which is a very important holy time for Muslims.”

Ramadan is expected to start at sunset on Sunday and will last for four weeks. It is one of the twelve months in the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. “It has a specific significance in the Islamic tradition as the first verses of the holy Qur’an were revealed in the month of Ramadan,” said the Imam.

From dawn to dusk, followers will abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual activity. “We are doing it voluntarily for the sake of God. We get a taste of what a lot of people are suffering on a daily basis, which are hunger and thirst. But we can’t really put ourselves in the shoes of those people who involuntarily don’t have food or drink.”

Imam Limbada added: “For us, Muslims, Ramadan is a way to gain higher awareness. We learn how to discipline ourselves better. The prophet said it’s a month of giving, a month of forgiveness, this is where you try to display the best of character. I think the most difficult thing in the month of Ramadan is from a spiritual perspective, it’s a battle with myself.”

Muslims are invited to open the fast every morning at the Islamic community centre on Broad Street. “We will also try to invite everyone, muslims and non-muslims, to join us and take part in Ramadan,” Imam Limbada added.