Harun Nasrullah
A Pakistani international student suffered facial fractures after he was allegedly subjected to racist abuse and brutally assaulted near the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow in the early hours of August 30.
Musadiq Ismail, who arrived in the UK from Pakistan in September 2025 and is studying for an MSc in International Financial Management at Middlesex University, said he was walking home at around 3.30am when a man began following him and shouting aggressively.
According to Ismail, the man repeatedly pushed him and told him, “You don’t deserve to be here” and “Go back to your country.”
Ismail said he tried to avoid a confrontation but pushed the man back after being shoved several times. The man then allegedly punched and repeatedly beat him, leaving his nose bleeding heavily and his clothes covered in blood.
He reported the incident to police several hours later and was advised to attend hospital, where doctors carried out a CT scan and an eyesight examination. He was subsequently told he had suffered facial fractures.
Police Scotland confirmed to The Muslim News they had received a report of the serious assault of a 21-year-old man on Gorbals Street and said the victim had attended hospital with serious injuries.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said, “The incident is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries remain ongoing.”
Ismail said the experience had left him shocked, traumatised and fearful for his safety.
“I am in considerable pain, particularly in the areas where I was repeatedly struck. I never imagined that such a violent attack could happen to me in Great Britain,” he told Geo News.
He appealed to police to treat the case seriously and identify the person responsible.
Anyone who witnessed the assault or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting crime reference 0388647/26. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
