Volunteer Khalid Hussein told the BBC that windows at the premises had also been smashed approximately two weeks earlier.

West Midlands Police have increased patrols in the surrounding area and confirmed they are treating the vandalism as racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage due to the nature of the graffiti.

The Jami Community and Education Centre on Kettle Road in Kingstanding, Birmingham, was targeted by vandals

 | Officers have also launched an appeal for information from the public.

Mr Hussein described the repeated attacks as deliberate efforts to intimidate those who worship at the centre, and disturb the tranquillity of the local neighbourhood.

“Our mosque has been under attack – they are not isolated incidents,” he said.

However, he insisted that those responsible had not achieved their goal of dividing the community.

The Jami Community and Education Centre was vandalised with racist graffiti

 | Jami Community and Education Centre

“Clearly, while these individuals have tried to tear us apart, they have only succeeded in stitching us closer together,” Mr Hussein added.

The volunteer emphasised that the centre wanted authorities to treat the situation with appropriate seriousness and ensure that community members felt both protected and listened to.

Rather than creating division among worshippers, Mr Hussein said the vandalism had strengthened bonds within the congregation, with the perpetrators failing to cause “a rift” as intended.

One graffiti message read ‘no one wants you here’

 | SUPPLIED

An emergency community meeting was convened on Wednesday, bringing together council officials, police representatives and local residents to address the escalating situation.

Paulette Hamilton MP, who attended the gathering, spoke of the profound impact on those who use the centre.

“The community is living in fear. They feel they are not safe in the local area,” she said, “they feel the building is no longer safe to come to”.

Fellow MP Ayoub Khan shared similar concerns, noting that anxiety had spread among residents.

CCTV footage shows a vandal painting the work ‘terrorist’

 | SUPPLIED

“Clearly an attack of a premises of any institution of one faith group is going to have an affect on all members of our community,” he said.

The meeting highlighted growing unease about safety in the Kingstanding area at large.

West Midlands Police stated they take all forms of hate crime seriously, with officers reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity and conducting door-to-door enquiries.

Chief Inspector Vicki Stott said: “Any type of racist or harmful graffiti will not be tolerated and we are committed to identifying and detaining whoever is responsible”.

Superintendent Haroon Chughtai condemned the vandalism, calling any attempt to spread hatred in Birmingham “deplorable”.

“We simply don’t tolerate any form of racist or hateful graffiti, and we are working at pace to find whoever was responsible,” he said.

Police urged anyone with relevant footage, including CCTV, dashcam or doorbell video recordings, to come forward.

Neighbourhood officers remain in regular contact with mosque leaders and worshippers to provide reassurance as the investigation continues.

Mosque Sprayed With Racist Graffiti for Second Time in Just TWO Days as Community Faces Renewed Fears

A mosque has reportedly been targeted with racist graffiti for the second time in just two days, sparking anger, concern and renewed calls for action against hate crime. The repeated incident has raised troubling questions about the safety of religious communities and the need to ensure that places of worship can operate without intimidation.

For Muslim worshippers, a mosque is far more than a building. It is a place for prayer, community activities, education and support. When such a place is repeatedly targeted, the impact can extend beyond the damage to its walls, leaving worshippers worried about their families, their neighbours and their ability to practise their faith in peace.

The details of the incident, including the exact location, the wording of the graffiti and whether police have identified any suspects, would need to be confirmed by local authorities. Nevertheless, repeated acts of racist vandalism deserve serious attention, particularly when they appear to single out a religious community.

A Second Incident in Just 48 Hours

The reported recurrence of racist graffiti within such a short period has intensified concerns that the mosque may be facing deliberate and repeated harassment.

A single act of vandalism can leave a community shaken. When the same place is targeted again almost immediately, the emotional effect can be considerably greater. Worshippers may begin to wonder whether the perpetrators intend to return, whether the incidents will escalate and whether enough is being done to protect the premises.

Graffiti can sometimes be dismissed as property damage, but racist messages carry a different meaning. They can communicate hostility towards people because of their perceived ethnicity, religion or background. For those who use the targeted building, the message may feel personal, even when the perpetrator’s identity remains unknown.

The immediate response often involves removing the graffiti, documenting the damage and notifying the police. However, simply cleaning a wall cannot resolve the wider concerns created by repeated intimidation.

Community representatives may also seek reassurance that the incidents are being investigated thoroughly and that appropriate steps are being taken to prevent further attacks.

Why Targeting a Place of Worship Matters

Religious buildings occupy an important position in many communities. They provide spaces where people gather regularly, develop friendships, organise charitable activities and receive support during difficult periods.

An attack on a mosque can therefore affect people who were not present when the vandalism occurred. Parents may worry about children attending religious classes, elderly worshippers may feel less comfortable visiting alone, and volunteers may become concerned about the security of community events.

The consequences can be particularly serious when racist graffiti appears alongside other incidents of hostility. Even when there is no physical violence, threatening or degrading messages can contribute to a climate of fear.

It is important, however, to distinguish between what is known and what remains under investigation. The presence of racist graffiti does not by itself establish who was responsible or whether the same individual carried out both incidents. Investigators would need to examine available evidence before drawing conclusions.

That distinction matters because an effective response requires both a clear condemnation of racism and a careful, evidence-based investigation.

Racist Vandalism and the Wider Debate About Hate Crime

Incidents involving racist graffiti often prompt broader discussions about discrimination, community relations and the responsibilities of public institutions.

Britain is home to people from many religious and cultural backgrounds. Its communities include Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, people of other faiths and those who follow no religion. Protecting the right of people to worship freely is an important part of maintaining a society in which differences can exist without intimidation.

Racist vandalism undermines that principle. It can encourage people to see neighbours as outsiders and create suspicion where cooperation is needed. When a religious building is repeatedly targeted, the concern extends beyond the cost of repairs to the message such conduct sends to the wider community.

At the same time, public discussion should avoid turning an individual incident into an accusation against an entire group. Responsibility belongs to the people who commit or encourage unlawful acts, not to everyone who shares their nationality, religion or political views.

A measured response should condemn racism clearly, support those affected and allow investigators to establish the facts.

The Role of Police and Local Authorities

Following repeated vandalism, residents and worshippers may reasonably expect a prompt response from the relevant authorities.

Police can investigate the incidents, collect evidence and determine whether the available information links the two attacks. Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence may include CCTV footage, witness accounts, photographs, forensic material and information about similar incidents nearby.

Authorities must also assess whether the graffiti meets the legal threshold for a hate-related offence. The precise classification will depend on the wording, circumstances and applicable law, rather than simply on the fact that the vandalism occurred at a mosque.

Local councils and community safety teams may have a role in arranging the removal of offensive graffiti, reviewing security concerns and helping residents report further incidents. Where appropriate, police and community representatives can discuss practical measures such as improved lighting, camera coverage and reliable reporting arrangements.

Any security measures should be proportionate and designed to reassure worshippers without unnecessarily disrupting access to the building.

Crucially, communication matters. If a community believes repeated attacks are not being taken seriously, mistrust can grow. Clear updates, where they can be provided without compromising an investigation, can help demonstrate that concerns are being heard.

The Importance of Standing Together

Community solidarity can be a powerful response to racist intimidation.

Local residents who condemn the vandalism, offer practical assistance or express support for mosque members can help prevent those affected from feeling isolated. Interfaith organisations may also bring together representatives from different religious communities to reinforce a shared commitment to safety and mutual respect.

Such gestures do not replace police investigations or the need for accountability. They do, however, send an important message: an attempt to intimidate one part of a community will not necessarily divide everyone else.

Mosque representatives may also choose to work with neighbouring organisations, schools and local leaders to encourage constructive conversations about discrimination. These efforts are most effective when they focus on real concerns, listen to those directly affected and avoid making assumptions about entire communities.

The wider public has a role, too. People who witness racist graffiti or receive credible information about an incident can report it through the appropriate channels rather than spreading unverified claims online.

Responsible reporting is especially important when details are still emerging. Speculation about suspects or motives can unfairly implicate innocent people and distract from the search for reliable evidence.

Repeated Attacks Must Not Become Normalised

One of the most concerning aspects of the reported incident is the short interval between the two episodes.

When vandalism happens repeatedly, there is a risk that residents begin to regard it as an unavoidable part of daily life. That should not be the response. Repeated racist abuse deserves attention precisely because it can undermine people’s sense of security over time.

The appropriate response is neither panic nor indifference. It is to establish what happened, protect those affected, investigate the offences and take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of further incidents.

If investigators establish that the same person or group was responsible for both attacks, that information may help determine whether the incidents form part of a wider pattern of harassment. Until then, the relationship between the two episodes should remain a matter for investigation.

The mosque’s members should not be expected to manage these concerns alone. Effective cooperation between police, local authorities, community representatives and residents can help ensure that reports are taken seriously and that appropriate support is available.

A Test of Community Confidence

The reported targeting of a mosque twice in two days is a troubling reminder that racism can affect people’s sense of belonging even when an incident does not involve physical injury.

For worshippers, the priority is to feel safe entering their place of prayer. For investigators, the task is to establish who carried out the vandalism and whether the incidents are connected. For local leaders, the challenge is to respond in a way that combines practical action with a clear rejection of racial and religious hatred.

The final facts will depend on the findings of the relevant authorities. But the broader principle is straightforward: people should not have to fear intimidation because of their religion or background.

Removing racist graffiti is an essential first step, but a lasting response requires more than repainting a wall. It requires accountability where offences are established, appropriate protection for those at risk and a community prepared to reject discrimination without hesitation.

If the reported incidents are confirmed, the mosque and its worshippers deserve a serious investigation and meaningful reassurance that their concerns will be addressed. No place of worship should become a target for repeated intimidation, and no community should be left wondering whether its safety matters less than anyone else’s.