SUPPORTERS of a Bradford man, who claims he was targeted for a brutal beating because he converted from Islam to Christianity, are to hold a protest in the city to raise the profile of the issue.

Nissar Hussain, 49, remains in hospital after suffering a smashed kneecap and broken hand in the vicious assault, outside his home in St Paul's Road, Manningham, shortly after 5pm last Tuesday.

The police are treating the attack as a religious hate crime, but Mr Hussain has accused them of failing to help him and his family after they endured years of harassment, intimidation and fear following their appearance on a TV documentary about the mistreatment of Muslim converts.

The protest has been organised by a friend of Mr Hussain, Mohammed Fiaz, who says he had to flee Bradford after converting to Christianity.

Mr Fiaz said: "The protest is about our human right to leave Islam and to practice the faith of our choice. The emphasis is that we can't allow intimidation, harassment and attacks upon the apostate."

"There are those who are afraid to stand up about this. I am encouraging them to come out of the closet."

He said he expected hundreds of people from across the country to attend the protest, which he said would be peaceful.

Mr Fiaz said: "It will not be inflammatory. We intend to have placards about our human rights and stating our love for Muslims. The emphasis is on human rights."

Mr Hussain yesterday said he and his family had forgiven his attackers, even though he said he could have died in the attack.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Hussain said: "I don't want us to harbour bitterness.

"At the same time I came within an inch of being bludgeoned to death, so we continue to appeal to the community for help to identify the perpetrators because they need to be brought to justice."

Mr Hussain praised the medical staff who had been treating him, and the pastor and members of congregation of a local independent church who he said had visited him in hospital.

"They came and encouraged me and prayed with me. I have been humbled. I also would love to pay homage to the wonderful consultants, doctors and nurses who are treating me."

Mr Hussain has undergone two operations, to pin his shattered kneecap and to wire up his hand. He is undergoing physiotherapy and has been walking up and down the hospital ward with the aid of a stick.

He was visited by his son Isaaq, who was eight yesterday.

Mr Hussain said police had installed a panic alarm button, linked to the police station, at his home.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed: "We have put safeguarding measures in place."

The spokesman said no arrests had been made and officers had not yet traced the suspects or a red or maroon car, believed to be an old Honda Civic or a Rover 400, seen in the area just before the incident happened.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Long, of Bradford District Police, has said police were investigating a number of allegations previously reported by Mr Hussain, to establish what offences had occurred, and work was ongoing with a range of partners, including councillors, to address the issues.