A MOSQUE in Reading has been targeted in a break-in over the weekend, with property damaged and cash stolen from the premises.
The Abu Bakr Mosque on Oxford Road had donations stolen and its CCTV systems damaged following a break-in late on Saturday, October 21, or early Sunday morning, October 26.
As attendees arrived for morning prayers at 6am on Sunday, they noticed that donation boxes at the site had been damaged, and security doors were open.
While cash had been taken, many other valuables had been left untouched at the site.
Trustees also explained that the site’s CCTV system had been damaged and hard drives taken away.
It follows a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Reading on Saturday, October 21, one of many around the country.
Continued escalation in the Middle East has seen a spike in both antisemitic and Islamophobic offences in the last three weeks.
In London, the Metropolitan Police reported an increase of 1,353% in antisemitic offences and an increase of 140% in Islamaphobic offences in the month compared to last year’s figures.
A trustee at the Oxford Road mosque, Khalid, said: “All the valuables are there except the cash from the donation boxes, and they had time to take what they wanted to take.
“They located where our systems were and smashed open the security doors, so we are questioning what the motive is.
“The demonstration in Reading on Saturday was something we participated in, and we don’t have any proof, but is this a reaction to that, or to the wider climate in the Middle East?”
He continued: “The religion we follow is peaceful: our greeting, As-salamu alaykum, means ‘peace be upon you’, and that’s what our teachings are, and how the mosque operates.
“We invited our neighbours of all faiths, including the mayor, to our open day a few weeks ago, as part of the main objective of our establishment – to build a better society with our neighbours and create a peaceful, loving environment.”
The damage is on a scale not seen by the mosque before, and trustees are urging anyone who may have any information to pass it on to police.
Khalid said: “Please pass on any information you may have, if you saw anything unusual from around Saturday afternoon onwards.
“And please pray for the safety and protection of the place and of the people there.”
A police investigation is currently ongoing and a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said: “Thames Valley Police is investigating a burglary overnight at the Abu Bakr Masjid and Islamic Centre in Oxford Road, Reading.
“Unknown offenders have broken into the centre, sprayed over the CCTV cameras and then took over £1,200 in cash.
“An investigation is ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with information to please call 101 quoting reference 43230475094.”
