Police launch investigation after window smashed at mosque in East Renfrewshire

Police have launched an investigation after a window was smashed at a mosque in East Renfrewshire.

Emergency services were called to reports of vandalism at Clarkston Community Centre about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing, and members of the public with information are being asked to get in touch.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing after a window was smashed at a premises on Stamperland Gardens, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, around 5.40pm on Wednesday, September 24.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 2636 of 24 September.”

Clarkston Community Centre has been contacted for comment.

Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s only previous Asian and Muslim first minister, said last week that Scotland was becoming less tolerant towards immigration and multiculturalism.

He said: “I have to say, in recent months and over the past couple of years, it is a feeling that the toxicity of the debate around immigration and multiculturalism has managed to find its way up here.

“Scotland, I’m afraid, of course, is becoming more intolerant – both in the public space and frankly, I’ve seen some of that intolerance in the political space too.”

This latest crime comes following other concerning incidents surrounding mosques, including a teenager being sentenced to 10 years in custody in August after planning to carry out mass murder at a mosque in Greenock.

Police intelligence led to officers finding the boy who was armed with weapons outside the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, Laird Street, on January 23.

In March, a teenager was charged with a hate crime after a mosque in Aberdeen was attacked with rocks as worshippers gathered inside.

Emergency services were called to the Spittal after receiving reports of the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre being vandalised.