Islamophobic graffiti has been sprayed on a mosque in Scotland, the BBC reports.
The words “Saracen Go Home” and the term “Deus Vult” meaning “God Willing” in Latin, were sprayed on two walls of the mosque in Cumbernauld, north Lanarkshire.
The Islamophobic attack, being treated as an anti-Muslim hate crime, happened sometime between 9pm on Friday 16 December and 7.30am on Saturday 17 December.
Mosque leaders described the incident as “unusual” and said people were “very worried” by it. The graffiti has been reported to the local police.
Azhar Din, a trustee of The Islamic Education Trust Cumbernauld, which runs the mosque, told the BBC: “The graffiti wasn’t there when people left after late prayers at the mosque around nine o’clock last night.
“It was discovered when the first people arrived for morning prayers at about half past seven this morning.
“It has been reported to the police. This is very unusual to have this kind of thing in Cumbernauld and people are very worried by it.”
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The mosque, which is situated at Craighalbert Way, is run by the Islamic Education Trust of Cumbernauld, who say they are dedicated to providing “essential Islamic services” and to promoting community cohesion.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that an investigation is under way following an act of vandalism at the Islamic Education Trust in Cumbernauld and inquiries are continuing.
“This matter is being treated as a hate crime.
“Hate crime remains a priority for Police Scotland and we are working closely with our criminal justice partners to do everything in our power to protect all communities and eradicate all forms of hatred.”
