Elham Asaad Buaras
Worshippers at a Birmingham mosque say they are “living in fear” after Islamophobic graffiti was sprayed on the walls of their community centre.
The Jami Community and Education Centre on Kettle Road in Kingstanding was targeted on April 1, with the words “ Islamic terrorists” and “undercover mosque” painted on the building. Windows had also been smashed two weeks earlier, according to volunteer Khalid Hussein.
An emergency community meeting was held with council officials and police to discuss the incidents. West Midlands Police are treating the graffiti as racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage and have appealed for information.
“We understand the concern that this has caused, and dedicated neighbourhood officers are in contact with worshippers and leaders at the mosque,” the police said. “Patrols in the area have also been stepped up to reassure the local community.”
Hussein said the mosque wanted authorities to take the attacks seriously and ensure the community feels safe.
“Our mosque has been under attack, they are not isolated incidents. These are attempts to strike fear into the hearts of our worshippers and disrupt the peace of our neighbourhood,” he said.
“Clearly, while these individuals have tried to tear us apart, they have only succeeded in stitching us closer together.”
Local MPs echoed the community’s concerns. Paulette Hamilton said residents “feel they are not safe in the local area,” while Ayoub Khan added that the attacks cause anxiety among the wider community.
Superintendent Haroon Chughtai emphasised that any attempt to spread hatred in Birmingham is “deplorable.”
“We simply don’t tolerate any form of racist or hateful graffiti, and we are working at pace to find whoever was responsible. I would urge anyone with information, or footage—including CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell video—to please get in touch with us.”
Police patrols in the area have been increased, and the force is treating the incidents as a hate crime.
Feature photo: The Jami Community and Education Centre on Kettle Road, Kingstanding, was targeted on April 1, when Islamophobic graffiti including the words “Islamic terrorists” and “undercover mosque” was sprayed on its exterior. (Credit: Jami Community and Education Centre)
