Police Scotland have released a description of a white man in his 30s that they’d like to speak to after an attack which left the mosque with minor damage.
Edinburgh Central Mosque was the target of a hate crime over the weekend as a small object was thrown at it causing minor fire damage to the door and garden, The Guardian reports.
The incident took place at about 2.10am on Sunday. Police Scotland are treating the attack as a hate crime and have released a description of a man they would like to speak to.
The man is described as white, in his early 30s, with very short hair. He was wearing a short-sleeved black top with a white emblem on the front and dark trousers.
He is believed to have been speaking to a group of women in George Square, near the Meadows’ junction, before the incident took place. Police are urging these witnesses to come forward.
A number of vehicles will have driven past the mosque at the time of the incident and police would like anyone who saw anything suspicious to report to them.
DI John Kavanagh said: “Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of this incident but the consequences could have been far worse had the fire taken hold and spread.”
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Ch Insp Mark Rennie, local area commander for south-east Edinburgh, said: “This was a despicable and reckless act which we are treating as a hate crime. We have launched a thorough investigation to identify anyone involved and anyone who believes they have information that can assist with our inquiries is urged to get in touch.”
Foysol Choudhury, chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians regional equality council, said: “Edinburgh cannot tolerate any action that aims to spread hate and division within its society. [The council] would like to uphold Police Scotland’s request for everyone who has any information to contact them.”
There are approximately 15,000 Muslims in Edinburgh, which has a total population of 495,000.
Muslims in Scotland make up 1.4% of the population and Scottish government statistics recently revealed Islamophobic hate crimes have almost doubled in the past year.
Anyone with information on Sunday’s incident can contact police on 101 or alternatively through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
