Burnley mosque users 'scared for safety' after incident

Police were called to the Shah Jalal Mosque in Burleigh Street, Burnley, just after 10.30am on April 3 to reports a man had broken into the building.

Noor Miah, assistant secretary of the mosque, told the Lancashire Telegraph the man entered the building at the same time as a family who had arrived to prepare for a funeral – at which point he was not challenged.

Windows above two office doors were smashed during the incident (Image: NQ)

The man then walked away from the family and ‘hid’, according to Mr Miah, before heading upstairs and picking up a metal bar from a construction area on the first floor.

READ MORE: Man arrested after incident at Shah Jalal Mosque in Burnley

It is believed this bar was used to smash two windows above office doors in the lobby and also to try and scratch off names on a plaque dedicated to those who helped fund the construction of the mosque.

A book containing religious texts was also found torn up in a classroom used for children’s Arabic lessons.

A religious book was damaged (Image: NQ)

Mr Miah said: “A lot of people are aware of what’s happening. Some people are scared for their own safety.

“We’ve had to reposition the CCTV in the mosque to key areas. We’ve had to restrict opening to only prayer times at the moment, which restricts access for people wanting to use the mosque.

READ MORE: Family 'abused' while preparing funeral at Burnley mosque

“We believe it’s an isolated incident. We’ve tried our best to make sure people are safe when they visit.”

Cllr Shah Hussain (Burnley Independent Group, Daneshouse with Stoneyholme) and deputy mayor of Burnley, said the incident happened just after 9am in what he said appeared to be a “deliberate act of hate.”

The man attempted to damage a plaque (Image: NQ)

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “A family was there cleaning the dead body of their relative and they had to be subjected to that at such a difficult time.

“The damage to the property is one thing but it gives fear to the people in the community, that they’re not able to practice their faith [freely]."

The incident happened at the Shah Jalal Mosque in Burleigh Street (Image: NQ)

Lancashire Police said on Thursday (April 4) that a 38-year-old man from Burnley had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and he remained in custody at the time.

A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to appeal for information. Email forcecontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 369 of April 3.”

They also said on Wednesday: “We know that this incident will have caused a great deal of upset in the community and we have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this case.”