Tawfieq Mosque in Schelle, in Belgium’s Antwerp province, was targeted in hate-filled vandalism against Muslims.
Members of the mosque’s board noticed on Friday morning that swastikas and hate messages had been written on the doors and windows. Dog feces was also found in front of the mosque’s entrance.
Mosque officials said they were deeply shocked by the incident and photographed the vandalism before cleaning the building ahead of Friday prayers. The administration filed a police complaint against unidentified individuals.
Rupel police launched an investigation to identify those responsible and said they were taking the incident seriously.
Muslim Rights Watch Belgium described the attack as a clear expression of hatred against Muslims. The organization’s president, Mohamed Amin Chaib, said the incident could not be dismissed as simple vandalism or mischief.
The organization also announced that it would file a complaint and called for increased security measures around mosques.