Since this petition successfully drew the corruption, mismanagement and potential extremist links of the trustees to the media's attention, including the BBC, several petitioners and worshippers at Exeter Mosque and Cultural Centre have been physically assaulted by the friends, family and associates of head trustee Mr Shaheed Ul Hassan.

The petition author, Mr Talal Elsayed, was assaulted following the BBC report exposing the trustees during a meeting at the mosque the trustees were using to attempt to vilify concerned members of the public. A friend of Mr Hassan threatened to beat Mr Elsayed while brandishing a chair as a weapon, and as Mr Elsayed attempted to leave the mosque premises CCTV footage shows he was attacked from behind in a cowardly and unprovoked assault by one of Mr Hassan's sons. Devon and Cornwall Police were asked to investigate these dual offences, and to date have allocated a crime reference number while doing little else. The petitioners call on PC Daniel Armitage to finally do his job and investigate these despicable attacks. Failing that, the Police must allocate someone who is competent to investigate these allegations that have persisted for half a year now.

Just a few weeks ago, another petitioner and long-time community member, Mr Baraa Hamad, was headbutted in front of the congregation by another friend of Mr Hassan. Mr Hamad was attending afternoon prayers when, again, CCTV footage captures the moment when he is being followed around the main prayer hall by an aggressive man known as Abidur Rahman, or Abid for short. Abid then proceeds to headbutt Mr Hamad in an unprovoked fashion, and witnesses state that Abid was continuously shouting at Mr Hamad that he should leave the mosque and asking him to step outside for a fight. This is likely due to Mr Hamad's public support for this petition. Again, the petitioners call on PC Robert Deacock to bring those responsible for this act of violence and intimidation in a holy place to justice, including those responsible for inciting against Mr Hamad.