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News


downsmail.co.uk Call for caution after aacks


MAIDSTONE'S Muslim leader Dr Muhammed Usmani has been instructed by Kent Police to "be vigilant" in thewake of the terror attacks in Manchester and London.


Dr Usmani, Imam at the town's


Mote Road mosque, said he had- faced no negative reaction after the killing of 22 people at Manchester Arena after a concert. The suicide bomber's actions on


May22were claimed by IS terrorists. Later, on Saturday June 3, three terrorists were shot by police after going on a murderous spree near London Bridge railway station. They murdered seven and injured scores of others. Dr Usmani (41), told Downs Mail:


"I did receive a message from one of the community liaison officers who instructedmeto be vigilant. Iwasn't offered protection and Idid not seek it. They (Kent Police) are always around and in touch with civilian in- telligence." He added: "I am pleased to say


that we have not encountered any bitterness in Maidstone and the mosque has not faced any negative reaction."


Village’s fete


BOUGHTONMonchelsea holds its village fete and dog show on July 1 from noon to 5pm. Among the fun features on the


day will be a classic car show as well as trade stands, farmers’ mar- ket and games. The dog show is for fun and there


are classes for at pets. If you want to know more, contact Hannah Jane Tripp on 07703 162585 (organ- iser) or Jill Skinner 01622 744098 (dog show).


Grave injury POLICE were called to a fight in a graveyard in Maidstone on June 11. Kent Police confirmed were


called to a disturbance at All Saints Church, Mill Street, just after 3.30pm. Officers confirmed a man his 30s


had been injured but no no offences appear to have been committed.


Sticker thefts AN 18-year-old from Maidstone who stole football stickers has been jailed for two months. Charlie Jake White was sen-


tenced by Mid Kent magistrates on May 25, after pleading guilty to shoplifting. The court heard that White, from Quarry Road, stole the stickers worth £127.50 from a shop in King Edward Road, Maidstone, on April 11. As well as 60 days in prison, he must also pay a £115 victim sur- charge.


20 Maidstone July 2017 Standing together


REV Canon Andrew Sewell, of Churches Together in Maidstone, and Dr Muhammed Usmani, of Maidstone Mosque (left), issued a joint statement in the wake of the Manchester and London attacks. It said: “The Christian and Muslim communities stand together with people of all faiths and none in con- demning the appalling terror at- tacks in London and Manchester. “We pray for victims and their


Dr Usmani said hewas pleased to


have received messages of support from people of all faiths. Aspokesman for Kent Police said: "While we are not confirming spe- cific locations, the public should be aware that it is likely they will see an increase in police patrols of both


armed and unarmed officers around the whole of Kent." The mosquewas the focus of a far-


right demonstration earlier this year. Just a handful of members of a group turned up for an anti-Muslim protest on after reports the mosque was to be extended.


Learning to read the signs at Maidstone introduction


LEARN how to sign at a series of British language classes com- ing up in Maidstone. A‘taster’ course, for £20, could


be the perfect introduction on Thursday, July 13, from 12.30- 4pm, at Hi Kent’s headquarters in Brewer Street. This introductory session,


when the emphasis will be on developing simple conversa- tional skills. You can improve your skills to


Level 1 BSL with Hi Kent on Tuesday mornings, from Sep- tember 5, or on Tuesday evenings, starting from Septem- ber 19.


Course co-ordinator Naomi Lemar says: “Knowing British


Sign Language is an extra skill that makes a great addition to your CV that many employers now look for. “Students will be taught in a friendly group by a qualified BSL tutor with a great track record.” The course costs £410. Level 2 classes will be avail-


able on Wednesday mornings from September 6 or Wednes- day evenings starting on Sep- tember 20. For details call the course co- ordinator Naomi Lemar on 01622 691151 or email her at n.lemar@hikent.org.uk. You can also book online at www.hikent.org.uk


families, and will work with every- one of goodwill to ensure that these events do not cause division or mis- understanding in our town. “


Dr Usmani said: "I respect any-


one's right to free speech even if I don't like or agree with what they are saying. “But I would be unhappy if either side used inappropriate words."


Scouts’ safari


YOUNG people will be treated to an Around the World Safari this summer. That is the theme of the holiday play scheme from Monday, July 24 to Friday,August 4, at Mar- den Scout HQ. The scheme is for five to 12-year-


olds.Anyone who can donate fancy dress costumes for children, aswell as old duvet covers, shoe boxes, buttons and beads, is asked to drop them off at the parish office before the opening day.


Charity fair


BUY fresh produce and find out about the work of Communigrow when the charity holds its summer fair on Saturday, July 22, at Ditton. The event will run from 11am to


3pm at the Communigrow field in Park Farm, Ditton, and will include stalls and light refreshments.


Parents fined for son’s aendance


A COUPLE have been fined nearly £2,500 for failing to take their son to school. Kent County Council took the mother and father to court for al- lowing the 13-year-old’s school at- tendance to drop to just 10% when the average figure across the county is over 95%. The parents, who failed to appear


in court, toldKCCtheywere teach- ing their son at home, but pro- duced no evidence to support that and did not take him off the regis-


ter at the secondary school he was supposed to be attending. The parents also claimed they


wanted the boy to attend a differ- ent school but never applied. The court heard pupils should be


in school for 190 days a year, but the 13-year-old only attended 19 days and the previous year missed 65 days. Magistrates found the cou- ple guilty and fined them £1,240 each. Roger Gough, KCC’s cabinet member for young people and ed- ucation, said: “It is crucial to a


child’s education that they make full use of the education on offer to them. It is the parents’ responsibil- ity to get their child to school and we will support schools to prose- cute parents who do not do this. “The changes we made to our Elective Home Education policy in 2015 meant we could insist on a meeting with these parents.As they did not attend,wewere able to take further action. Too many children slip through the net when their par- ents take them out of school.”


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