Blinding of Hull mosque leader Imam Hafiz Salik likely to be permanent, surgeons warn

A mosque leader is likely to be permanently blind in one eye after an unprovoked attack in front of his family. Imam Hafiz Salik, leader of the Hull Mosque and Islamic Centre, has now undergone two operations on his right eye.

However, surgeons have been unable to repair the damage and have warned Mr Salik, who is well-known for his inter faith work, to expect the worst.

Mr Salik’s son, Atweeq, 24, said his 60-year-old father remains in pain, but has taken the doctors’ verdict in his stride. He said: “My father is a religious man and believes in patience. He has always taught us that. He has another operation on Monday and we may find out more then.

“We have been told the damage is as severe as we feared. The doctors have cleaned out the eye, but there is a lot of damage. We think some kind of instrument may have been used.

Hull Daily Mail, 14 December 2013