AN Islamic community centre near Truro has launched a GoFundMe page to pay for repairs caused by vandalism last week.

Cornwall Islamic Community Centre has been based in the former Methodist chapel at Quenchwell, near Carnon Downs, since 2008 and welcomes around 100 worshippers every Friday.

At approximately 11.25pm on Thursday (September 17), a small vehicle was seen reversing into the entrance gate, with the driver making several attempts to break through the gate.

Following this, two individuals appeared to approach the entrance, throwing bottles containing what appeared to be oil into the grounds. They then returned with a larger container and spread the substance across the garden area before driving away from the scene.

Police are treating the incident as “racially aggravated criminal damage until such time as the evidence suggests otherwise”. Meanwhile, the local community and politicians of all parties were united in denouncing the vandalism, and offering practical and financial help.

Imam Hasan Kilik said that while the incident had caused “significant concern and distress” within the Muslim community, the response from the public had been “amazing”.

He added: “We were wondering how we would get everything cleaned up and fixed; then on Saturday, people came forward to help with the clean-up, and on Sunday, two gentlemen came and fixed our gates. We couldn’t believe it.”

Following the incident, the centre was deluged with messages of support from politicians of all parties, and members of the local community. “We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming messages of support, kindness and solidarity we have received from people across Cornwall and beyond,” said Mr Kilik.

The incident was roundly condemned by politicians of all parties. Councillors Karl Ramshaw and Richard Brickell, chairmen of Kea and Feock Parish Councils respectively, joined Cornwall councillor Martyn Alvey in decrying the attack on the centre, which has sat on the border of the two parishes for almost 20 years.

“The people who did this don’t speak for the people of Feock and Kea parishes or Cornwall,” they said in a joint statement. “Our thoughts are with those who use the community centre as they recover from both the emotional impact of the incident and work to repair the damage caused to their beloved community centre.”

Donations can be made via the GoFundMe page, which has a target of £2,600, at https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-cornwall-islamic-community-centre-targeted-by-vandals.