Islamic Cultural Centre vandalised

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Iceland.

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Iceland. Photo: Árni Sæberg

Those arriving at Iceland’s Islamic Cultural Centre yesterday morning were greeted by the unpleasant sight of graffiti on the walls, window and roof of the building.

A triangular symbol containing an eye – not dissimilar to the Eye of Providence (or all-seeing eye of God) symbol – was daubed in green on the front door and on various other parts of the Reykjavik site, including the roof.

Ahmad Seddeeq, imam at the Centre, declines to draw any conclusions on the meaning of the symbol or whether the vandalism was meant as an attack on Islam.

“I can’t answer that,” says Seddeeq. “Vandalism is vandalism whatever the motivation and should not happen.”

Seddeeq also declines to make any link between the incident and the possible rise in Islamophobia in the wake of the Paris attacks, but doe wonder about the timing.

“We’ve been here for three years, and this happens after Paris… I hope this is not the reason.”

The website of the Centre condemns the vandalism, but trusts that such acts are not a reflection of Icelandic society as a whole.

There are no CCTV cameras in the area and the police have no leads on which to launch an investigation.

The symbol painted in various places on the building.

The symbol painted in various places on the building. Photo: Árni Sæberg

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