Officer accused of defacing Koran

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An investigation has been launched into allegations a prison officer defaced a Muslim prisoner's copy of the Koran.

A prisoner at HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight contacted the Islamic Human Rights Commission stating rude graffiti had been scrawled across the holy book.

The commission's claim is part of a list of anti-Islamic incidents, passed to the Home Office, which they said increased during the month of Ramadan.

The Home Office said prison authorities are investigating the claim.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Parkhurst Prison has received a complaint from a prisoner concerning the defacing of a copy of the Koran and the prison is investigating."

Massoud Sahdjareh, chairman of the commission said: "We have seen the copy of the Koran - basically rude words have been written right across the page."

The commission said the Muslim community had been failed by law enforcement authorities.

The allegation was contained in a list of incidents which the organisation claimed represented an increase in anti-Islamic attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

The list included the firebombing of a Muslim-owned dairy in Windsor, Berkshire, and a pig's head being thrown at a mosque during night prayers in Newport, Gwent, on 23 September.