AN IMAM who was blinded by a single punch has returned to teaching at his mosque.
Imam Hafiz Salik has lost sight in one eye after he was attacked by a stranger who stopped his car.
Five months later, Mr Salik has returned to working part-time at Hull Mosque and Islamic Centre in Berkeley Street, west Hull.
Imam Salik, 60, said: "It is a great pleasure for me to be back. I have had a very difficult time in the past five months and have suffered a lot.
"It is good for me and good for the community to be back. I have started doing little jobs here because it is not just a mosque, it is the main hub for the community.
"It is my main job to bring peace to people, even though I wasn't given peace.
"I still have a lot of pain inside my eye and have headaches. It can be quite intensive."
Although he has returned to teaching some classes at the centre and leading midday prayers, Imam Salik has not returned to his full role.
He is expected to undergo a third operation later this month and still has 15 stitches inside and outside his eye.
He was attacked after two men and a woman stopped his car as he was driving along Spring Bank West, west Hull, with his wife and daughter in November last year.
One of the men opened his car door and punched him in the face.
No one has been arrested in connection with the assault, despite police releasing CCTV images and footage of three people they want to speak to.
Imam Salik said it is now down to the community to come forward with information about the attack.
He said: "Somebody knows about them and the community has to come up.
"The police are doing their utmost but they can't knock on every door. I know criminals are not always found but maybe if we are lucky, they will be."
After the attack, the centre's annual awards ceremony for pupils at its classes was postponed.
It will now take place on Sunday after Imam Salik's return to the centre.
He said: "It is a real pleasure for me to come back and do that and the community are very happy."
Imam Salik said he has received huge support from people across the city following the assault.
"There has been so much moral support and encouragement at this difficult time," he said.
"Every message I got from someone was a lift that made me feel alive. It has been very important to me. I know the people who did this to me do not represent the community as a whole."
Humberside Police said the investigation into the attack on Imam Salik is continuing.
Anyone with information should call the police on 101.
Fresh CCTV appeal
POLICE have made a fresh appeal for help to identify two men and a woman wanted in connection with the attack.
CCTV images show the three people walking along Princes Avenue on the night Imam Hafiz Salik was assaulted.
Despite several appeals, police have been unable to identify the members of the group.
Although only one man is believed to have attacked the imam, the offender was with a man and a woman at the time.
Detective Sergeant Craig Nicholson, of the public protection unit, said: "We do not know at this stage if they are connected in any way, however, we are keen to identify them as part of our investigation and eliminate them from our inquiries if appropriate."
The assailant is described as white, about 5ft 6in, with short, brown hair. He is well built and aged between 25 and 30. He was wearing a dark stone-coloured jacket, shirt and trousers.
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101.
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