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| Pig's head found outside mosque | Pig's head found outside mosque |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A pig's head was found dumped outside a mosque in south Wales hours before the holy festival of Ramadan began, police have said. | A pig's head was found dumped outside a mosque in south Wales hours before the holy festival of Ramadan began, police have said. |
| It was discovered outside the Jamia Mosque in Newport at 2230 BST on Saturday, 23 September. | It was discovered outside the Jamia Mosque in Newport at 2230 BST on Saturday, 23 September. |
| Gwent Police were called to the scene and have begun a hate crime inquiry to identify the culprit in what is being seen as "premeditated" attack. | |
| In the Islamic faith the pig is considered an unclean animal. | |
| Gwent Police's Divisional Commander for Newport, Kevin Price said: "We are working with the Muslim community to try and find out who would have been in the street that night when the pig's head was placed at the mosque. | |
| "We are also looking at CCTV. | |
| "I would describe this sort of thing as very irresponsible, there was obviously an element of premeditation about it to get a pig's head and on a night of religious significance. | |
| "It was intended to offend and I believe the person who is responsible probably has no idea just how much offence this has caused," he added. | |
| This is really upsetting business what has happened here, especially in our festival month Alkas Ali | |
| He said that there had been no other incidents at the mosque before. | |
| An investigation was launched after the pig's head was found outside the Jamia Mosque in Commercial Road. | |
| Superintendent Simon Prince added: "We treat all incidents of hate crime seriously and are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to identify the offender." | Superintendent Simon Prince added: "We treat all incidents of hate crime seriously and are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to identify the offender." |
| Alkas Ali, who worships at the mosque, said: "This is really upsetting business what has happened here, especially in our festival month. | Alkas Ali, who worships at the mosque, said: "This is really upsetting business what has happened here, especially in our festival month. |
| "All the Muslims here are really upset. The police have been here. This sort of thing seems to be happening everywhere, I think." | "All the Muslims here are really upset. The police have been here. This sort of thing seems to be happening everywhere, I think." |
| He added other things had happened at the mosque over the years, including smashed windows. | He added other things had happened at the mosque over the years, including smashed windows. |
| Worshipper Dr Ihsan Mahmood said: "I feel offended. Most Muslims do feel offended but we won't gain anything by making a big deal. We won't be any better off." | Worshipper Dr Ihsan Mahmood said: "I feel offended. Most Muslims do feel offended but we won't gain anything by making a big deal. We won't be any better off." |
| Mr Modhu Mia added: "This is very bad. We all feel offended by it. But they can't do anything to us. It's just fuelling anger." | Mr Modhu Mia added: "This is very bad. We all feel offended by it. But they can't do anything to us. It's just fuelling anger." |
| Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |