Ulfah Arts and Media in Highgate Centre destroyed in arson attack

Ulfah Arts and Media in Highgate Centre destroyed in arson attack

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Arsonists have destroyed a Birmingham community centre in a suspected racially-motivated attack.

Ulfah Arts and Media, based at Highgate Craft Centre in Highgate Square, was completely devastated in the 5am blaze on Tuesday.

Ulfah Arts and Media spokeswoman Sarah Javid said she feared the arson attack was racially-aggravated and targeted against the social enterprise’s CEO, Prashant Singh.

“Over the last two months our CEO has been receiving hate mail which has been anti-Islamic,” she said.

“He also received a DVD which was full of race hate messages.

“Mr Singh has no idea why anyone would have a personal vendetta against him or the organisation. But the fire has destroyed everything. It’s destroyed equipment, but also all of our projects, some we have been working on for over a year.”

Mr Prashant is currently abroad but was said to have been “devastated” when he learned of the blaze.

“Of course he was upset,” the spokeswoman added. “But he also said we needed the support of the community and that we needed to stay positive.”

The hate mail had been sent to police, she added.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Early indication suggests this was arson and we are investigating.”

West Midlands Fire Service also said the blaze was suspicious. “It looks like the incident was arson,” a spokesman said.

“A police forensic team was sent to the scene for further investigation.”

Around ten firefighters in breathing gear tackled the blaze after a 999 caller reported smoke pouring from a first-floor window of the three-storey building.

Half of the unit was destroyed in the blaze and 60 per cent of the rest of Highgate Craft Centre, formerly a fire station, was smoke-logged.

Ulfah Arts is a not-for-profit organisation which organises arts and media projects to bring different faiths and communities together.

Naz Koser, Ulfah’s then director of media and education, told the Mail in 2010: “Ulfah means ‘harmony’ and that’s what we’re all about.

“We want to see people opening their hearts and minds to what’s inside them – and other people.”