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Five injured in suspected anti-Muslim attacks after armed man roamed Edinburgh streets
Counter-terrorism police say the attacks may have targeted Muslims, and five men were injured, with three needing hospital treatment, police said.
On Friday evening, counter-terrorism officers began investigating a series of violent incidents across Edinburgh that left five men injured, with police arresting a 36-year-old man in connection with attacks in Sighthill, Telford Road, and Leith Walk.
The five men, aged 22, 22, 24, 27, and 39, sustained various injuries; three required hospital treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The Scottish Association of Mosques reported two injured men were attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque.
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the incident as "shocking" and confirmed counter-terrorism support. Authorities established a Major Incident Public Portal urging the public to submit information directly to officers investigating the attacks.
Omar Afzal, SAM director of public affairs, expressed "deep alarm," stating Muslim communities are concerned about anti-Muslim hatred becoming normalized in public discourse. The Muslim Council of Britain condemned the violence as a direct consequence of demonizing political rhetoric.
Afzal warned that "these incidents should serve as a wake-up call," urging Scotland to reject the "myth of Scottish exceptionalism" and adopt a coordinated national strategy to tackle anti-Muslim hatred and ensure minority communities live free from fear.
With a bare torso and a gun in his hand, a 36-year-old went through Edinburgh. Five people were injured. Prime Minister Starmer was shocked and complained "Hass on Muslims as motive. Green boss Zack Polanski complained right-wing incitement, for example on Elon Musk's network X.