CCTV footage has been released showing people ramming a gate and pouring oil over a religious centre in Cornwall. The Cornwall Islamic Community Centre at Carnon Downs near Truro was attacked and vandalised overnight on Thursday (September 17) in what police are treating as racially aggravated criminal damage.
Hasan Kilic, the volunteer imam at the centre, said he was called by a neighbour at 7am today (Friday, September 18) who told him the metal gate had been smashed up. When he turned up a couple of hours later he discovered the wrought iron gate all mangled and torn off its hinges. More concerning, he also found that a combustible substance had been poured over the grounds up to the entrance and splashed over the walls.
Mr Kilic said CCTV at the centre shows vehicles ramming the gate before two people came in and threw oil all over the place. He has since released the footage to CornwallLive. It is the second time in 18 years that the centre has been the victim of a potentially racially motivated attack. In 2008, a pig's head was nailed to the door of the former Methodist chapel ahead of it being converted into an Asian community centre and Cornwall's only Mosque. It was also daubed with racist graffiti.
Mr Kilic said the latest incident had been upsetting for the community, but he said they have chosen to respond with "positivity and unity". He told CornwallLive: "It has understandably been upsetting for our community, but we are choosing to respond with positivity and unity. We see this as an opportunity to bring people together, reach out to the wider community and build stronger relationships.
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"Cornwall is a welcoming place, and we believe these were the actions of a small number of individuals. We will not allow the actions of one person or a small group to divide us or define our community.
"We will continue to open our doors, welcome people, pray together and contribute positively to Cornwall. If anything, this incident has reminded us of the importance of standing together and reaching out to others."
Following the incident, the centre has been met with huge love and support too, with it sharing a video thanking those for their care. In the clip, shared to Facebook, Hasan speaks of how a random man showed up with sponges on Saturday, September 19, to help them clean up the oil. Two women also arrived to give their support. "Two little old ladies pulled up with flowers and a donation, wow," he says in the video clip. "And there's another gentleman here. He's come to help tidy up. He's not Muslim, he just heard what happened and he's bought sponges and stuff and he wants to come and help us."
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Among dozens of comments from well-wishers, Nina Coulson said she was "absolutely appalled to see what has happened" at the centre. She said the people who attend "quietly and consistently turn up for others", do so much charity work and are "quite simply, genuinely decent people who have contributed a great deal to Cornwall". Ann Sop said: "I’m so sorry you have to deal with the narrow-minded comments. There should be no hate here, at a place of worship, let alone anywhere in Cornwall. I’m sorry your community have to deal with such hatred, probably on a day-to-day basis. Please be assured that there are some Cornish folk who have nothing but love for your community." Stephen Putnam said: "I am not a person of faith, but I still stand with you. We are all equal." Martyn Alvey, councillor for Feock and Kea, Karl Ramshaw, chairman of Kea Parish Council, and councillor Richard Brickell, chairman of Feock Parish Council have also issued a joint statement condemning the behaviour, as has Cornwall Council, which called it a "hateful and unacceptable act".
CCTV Footage Captures Vandals Targeting Cornwall Islamic Centre