Basildon Mosque Defaced Amid Escalating Anti-Muslim Sentiment
The South Essex Islamic Centre was vandalised late Thursday night, with red crosses and slogans such as “Christ is King” and “This is England” painted on its walls. The attack, carried out just hours before Friday prayers, is being investigated by Essex Police as a hate-related incident, according to Al Jazeera.
Local authorities acted swiftly to remove the graffiti before worshippers arrived, but the damage left a strong sense of unease in the community. Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, denounced the perpetrators, describing the attack as “pathetic criminal cowardice” and “targeted intimidation.”
Faith leaders also spoke out against the misuse of Christian symbols in the attack. Bishops in the area issued a joint statement calling the vandalism “scandalous and profoundly misguided,” warning that invoking Christianity to justify racism is “theologically false and morally dangerous.”
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Wajid Akhter, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, also slammed the attack. “The St George flag is a symbol of England we should all be proud of. For it to be used in this way, [which] echoes how Nazis targeted Jewish homes, is a disgrace to our flag and our nation. Silence has allowed hate to grow,” he said.
The incident comes amid wider tensions linked to a social media campaign called #OperationRaisetheColours, which has encouraged displays of the St George’s flag on roads and public spaces. While some supporters portray it as patriotic, monitoring group HOPE not hate has tied the movement to far-right figures, including former members of the English Defence League and Britain First. In several towns, racist graffiti and xenophobic slogans have accompanied the campaign.
Community advocates warn that such incidents reflect a broader trend. Shabna Begum, head of the Runnymede Trust, described the vandalism as part of a “frightening intensification of Islamophobia” tied to political and media rhetoric around asylum seekers.
“The violence being played out on our streets and the vandalism of mosques is the product of a political and media soundtrack that has relentlessly demonised Muslim communities,” she said.
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Similar cases have recently been reported across Essex, including alleged racial abuse of a Muslim woman and her child, as well as St George’s crosses spray-painted on local homes. Other residents have spoken of harassment ranging from verbal slurs to objects thrown at Muslim families.
In Basildon, mosque leaders encouraged worshippers to attend Friday prayers in large numbers as an act of resilience. Turnout was higher than usual, reflecting a determination to respond to intimidation with unity.
While police continue their investigation, campaigners stress that beyond high-profile incidents, many cases of Islamophobic abuse go unreported. Advocacy groups have urged stronger engagement with affected communities to ensure victims feel supported in coming forward.
Source: Agencies
