UK Muslim family subjected to 'Islamophobic abuse' during chess tournament in Austria

Vienna, Aug. 15 (ANI): Three young Muslim chess players have been racially abused from parents of other competitors in Austria, which has sparked off a 'race row'.

The father of the three children, aged 7, 10 and 13, alleged that the kids and their mother were bullied and ostracised by some members of the English delegation, who had come for the tournament.

Sohale Rahman claimed that his wife was spit at and his eldest son was left bleeding after being assaulted in what he described as Islamophobic abuse, the Telegraph reports.

According to the report, the English Chess Federation said it was taking the allegations 'very seriously' and had started an investigation.

Yousuf bin-Suhayl, 13, and his brothers Ibraheem, 10, and Ieysaa, seven, were selected to represent England at this month's European Union Youth Chess Championships in Mureck, Austria, the report said.

The boys travelled for the tournament with their mother, Tomasina Contu, a white Muslim convert who wears a headscarf, as part of a group organised by the English Chess Federation, the report added.

According to the report, Rahman said the problems started when the hotel where they were staying failed to provide his family with halal food or serve meals at times so that his wife and eldest son could observe Ramadan.

He alleged that the situation escalated, and some parents of other English children taking part in the competition ganged up and bullied his family.

Rahman claimed that two of his sons were denied the chance to have lessons with an international chess master and that one father spat at his wife.

He alleged that tensions rose to the point where an English Chess Federation official warned his wife not to go back to the hotel where the families were staying because he 'could not guarantee her safety', the report added.

Rahman claimed that on the final day of the tournament, one mother grabbed Yousuf and sank her fingernails into his chest, causing him to bleed.

He said his wife called the Austrian police, but was told that they would not investigate the incident because his son's injuries were not serious enough.

Rahman said he has complained to Norfolk Police about what happened in Austria, and an officer is due to take a statement from him. (ANI)