AhlulBayt News Agency: An 18-year-old, Jayden Wallace, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of vandalizing the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre.
The accusations include throwing paint at the mosque and breaking a window with a rock during incidents that reportedly occurred in March, according to local media.
The charges, brought under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, suggest that the actions were motivated by prejudice.
The alleged offenses are said to have taken place on March 15 and 16 at the mosque, located in the Spital area of Aberdeen.
Prosecutors claim that Wallace deliberately or recklessly caused damage by repeatedly throwing white paint at the mosque's door and smashing a window with a rock. It is further alleged that these actions were aggravated by bias related to race, color, nationality, or ethnic origins.
During a hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Wallace denied the charges.
The court has postponed the case for further proceedings later this year. Meanwhile, he has been released on bail under the condition that he refrains from approaching or entering the Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre.
This incident comes amid a broader context of rising anti-Muslim hate crimes in the UK. According to recent reports, Islamophobic incidents have reached record levels, with organizations like Tell Mama documenting a significant increase in cases. In 2024 alone, over 5,800 reports of anti-Muslim hate were recorded, marking a 165% rise compared to two years prior. These incidents range from verbal abuse to physical attacks and vandalism, reflecting a troubling trend of hostility towards Muslim communities.
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