Mosque in Cumbernauld sprayed with racist graffiti Published duration 17 December 2016

Anti-Islamic graffiti has been sprayed on a mosque in North Lanarkshire.

The words "Saracen Go Home" and the term "Deus Vult", translated from Latin as "God Willing", were painted on two walls of the mosque in Cumbernauld.

The attack, being treated as a hate crime, happened sometime between 21:00 on Friday and 07:30 on Saturday.

Mosque leaders described the incident as "unusual" and said people were "very worried" by it. The graffiti has been reported to police.

Azhar Din, a trustee of The Islamic Education Trust Cumbernauld, which runs the mosque, said, "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."

'Hate crime'

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 (mosque) 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."