Mosque open to vandals: Muslim community leader

The leader of Rockingham’s Muslim community has invited the vandals who threw white paint on the city’s mosque to get to know the Islamic community, saying it would be the best way to fight radical Islam.

Spiritual adviser Sheikh Bahaadin Penjwerry said the mosque’s doors were always open to people who opposed radical Islam and the actions of the Islamic State.

“If this was a hate crime – I advise those responsible that the doors are always open if they would like to join the fight against the Islamic State,” Mr Penjwerry said.

Mr Penjwerry said he hoped the vandalism was carried out by uninformed people and not the work of anti-Islamists.

Police believe the paint was thrown sometime between 8pm Sunday and 3.30pm Monday.

The paint hit the front veranda of the premises and also damaged the main doors and nearby brickwork.

Anyone who has information that can assist in this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.