LONDON: In a suspected hate crime, the windows of a mosque in Taunton, located in the southwest of England, were smashed in an act of vandalism. This incident took place early in the morning on September 6 at the Taunton Central Mosque and Islamic Centre. The attack has left the local community feeling hurt and affected. Sajjad Jabarkhel, who works at the mosque, shared his sentiments with ITV News: 'There's a sense of hurt and disappointed that this has happened and it comes at a cost. Most people have lived here for years, and when something like this happens, it is painful. In terms of the spirit of the community, they see Taunton as their home.'

The police are currently looking to identify two individuals connected to the incident and are treating it as a hate crime. Avon and Somerset Police noted that criminal damage was caused to the glass windows at the property. They emphasized that while the motivation behind this incident remains unknown, they are treating it as such due to its nature. The force has conducted reassurance patrols in the area but believes the event to be an isolated occurrence.

This act of vandalism comes amidst rising tensions in the UK linked to anti-asylum protests and a social media campaign called '#OperationRaisetheColours.' According to Hope Not Hate, an organization combating right-wing extremism, this initiative is led by Andrew Currien. He has been associated with the far-right groups English Defence League and Britain First, both of which have histories of promoting Islamophobic sentiments.

The act in Taunton echoes concerns over the campaign's connection to incidents of a similarly prejudiced nature. Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, strongly condemned the attack on the mosque. He expressed his opposition to those who committed the crime, calling them 'not welcome' in their town and promising legal consequences.

The community remains shaken by this incident, which took place mere hours before a children's event at the center. As police continue to collect CCTV footage from various local areas, they are working to ensure that justice is served for the victims of this suspected hate crime.