CCTV has captured the moment a man launched a rock at a Welsh mosque, shattering the window while people prayed inside. The incident took place at Rabbaniah Islamic Cultural Centre on Clare Road in Grangetown, Cardiff on Monday, June 6 at approximately 10.15pm.
CCTV footage showed a man walking towards the mosque before throwing a rock at a window of the main entrance, smashing the glass to pieces only minutes away from the late evening prayer. The mosque is a focal point for the five daily congregational prayers as well as a popular supplementary Islamic school catering to over 50 children.
Although no-one was injured, secretary general of Muslim Council of Wales Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed said the incident was a "sad moment for the Muslim community here in Wales" and had left congregants fearful of future attacks and the safety of their children while at the mosque.
Read more: Woman cries as flat shut down after row with 'desperate' neighbours over 'drugs, fights and racism'
"As you can see from the CCTV, the mosque is visibly identifiable and this was an unprovoked, directed attack," Dr Ahmed said. "Police are investigating, but that is our impression. No-one was injured but there is a lot of fear. One elderly man in there at the time is now scared, and this was a short time after children had been in the mosque for class. You want them to be safe when they go there, and it's made people fearful."
A regular worshipper at the mosque, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I was scared for my life, I thought that somebody had come in with a gun firing gun shots. I thought my life was over. I sit in the mosque between Maghrib and Isha without fail but after this incident I’m not going to do that anymore as I don’t feel safe here."
Mufti Hussain, the Imam of the mosque, said: "This attack is not like any other attack you see on the streets. It's clear that we have been targeted because of our faith and our values."
This is not the first time Rabbaniah Islamic Centre has been a victim of criminality. In 2014, the mosque was ransacked with over £3,000 stolen from a safe. Dr Ahmed said it was even more disappointing that the incident, which took place between the Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (night) prayers, happened the night before Welsh Government ministers published their action plan to tackle racism on Tuesday. You can read more about that here.
"It is one of a series of attacks on mosques in Wales," he said. "It reminds us how important tackling racism and xenophobia is. We welcome the Welsh Government's plan but I think none of us should be complacent on how much work needs to be done.
"The kind of hate crime this was is a symptom of a wider social problem where outsiders and difference are viewed with suspicion and hatred. That comes from those in authority who create that type of society. We can do what we can in educating and building bridges but we do need to recognise that ideas of suspicion and fear of Muslims and any minority need to be challenged robustly."
South Wales Police has confirmed it is investigating criminal damage to the mosque. It said a window was smashed at around 10.15pm on Monday, June 6 and is being treated as a hate crime. A spokesperson said a potential suspect has been identified and arrest enquiries are on-going.
Sergeant Paul Graham said: "South Wales Police is proud to police a modern, multi-cultural city which has a long tradition of strong, diverse communities. Officers have visited the Rabbaniah Islamic Centre to reassure worshippers. The matter is being investigated and there will be additional patrols over the coming days." Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting *189461.
To get more news from across Cardiff subscribe to our daily newsletter here.
