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A Syrian refugee was stabbed six times in a horror racist attack as he tried to protect a young girl relative.

Shabaz Ali, 28, was attacked in a hostel by four people and he is now fighting for his life in hospital.

The gang who attacked him was made up of two men and two women and they are all being hunted by police.

The assault happened in Edinburgh at the hostel in the Bruntsfield area of the city, reports the Daily Record .

It is claimed his attackers were shouting “why are you still here, why are you not back in your own country” during the attack.

A fundraising page has been set up by campaign groups Positive Action in Housing and Unite Against Fascism as a “small gesture to help Shabaz rebuild his life.”

The fundraising page has a target of £2000 and has so far raised £350.

(Image: Google)

A Police Scotland spokesman said that officers in Edinburgh are investigating the incident.

He said: “A 28-year-old man was seriously injured at a flat in Upper Gilmore Place shortly after 12am on Thursday 3rd May.

“Anyone with information which may be able to help can contact Gayfield CID via 101 or report this anonymously.

Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing, told STV: "These kinds of acts are not surprising given the amount of hate speech against refugees and migrants and anyone who looks "different.

It is claimed his attackers were shouting “why are you still here, why are you not back in your own country” during the attack.

A fundraising page has been set up by campaign groups Positive Action in Housing and Unite Against Fascism as a “small gesture to help Shabaz rebuild his life.”

The page has a target of £2000 and has so far raised £350.

A Police Scotland spokesman said that officers in Edinburgh are investigating the incident.

He said: “A 28-year-old man was seriously injured at a flat in Upper Gilmore Place shortly after 12am on Thursday 3rd May.

“Anyone with information which may be able to help can contact Gayfield CID via 101 or report this anonymously.

Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing, told STV: "These kinds of acts are not surprising given the amount of hate speech against refugees and migrants and anyone who looks "different.

"To refugees, migrants and anyone from an immigrant background, this attack is not only frightening but it is also a form of terrorism.

"We want the Police to find the attackers so that they can be brought to justice and made an example of, and so that Shahbaz Ali and his family can be assured that racist attacks and murders will be dealt with swiftly and with the full force of the law.

"We want to show him and all refugees and migrants that we reject racism, xenophobia, we reject the hostile Environment and Scotland says NO to racism and the ideology behind it."