AN IMAM is calling for greater unity within the non-muslim and muslim community following two racial attacks at an Islamic centre.

Shakeel Begg, from Lewisham and Kent Islamic Centre, is supporting Greenwich Islamic Centre in its fight to find the culprits, who damaged the property twice within three days last week.

The first incident happened at the centre in Plumstead Road, Woolwich, at 1.30am on March 2, when the offenders started a fire after breaking a window and pouring fuel through it.

The centre's caretaker, Mohammad Kohalee, who was sleeping at the time, woke up after hearing the window smash and managed to put the fire out in time.

But three days later at 11.15pm, the centre was targeted again and two more of its windows were smashed.

Greenwich police have carried out forensic tests on both occasions and are treating the incidents as racially-motivated attacks.

Mr Begg, who is based at the centre in Roundhill Road, Lewisham, feels part of the reason the Greenwich centre is being targeted is the separate role it plays in the community.

He said: "Although I support Greenwich Islamic Centre in finding justice and the culprits involved, more needs to be done to unite muslims with non- muslims in Woolwich.

"In Lewisham, we have a very good relationship with the community and the police.

"In Greenwich, the muslim community is very closed off and they should address how this can be solved.

"They should organise meetings with people to discuss issues to find out the problems."

But Greenwich Islamic Centre director Dr Tang Abbasi says the centre does try to reach out to the wider community.

He said: "The muslim community is a far bigger community here than in Lewisham with more than 3,000 people using the centre each week.

"We engage with the non-muslilm community all the time."

He added: "We hold interface meetings, visit churches and other temples and synagogues.

"Grovelling is not something we will do."