Vandals deface Glasgow gurdwara with Islamophobic graffiti

A gurdwara in the largest city of Scotland has been defaced by vandals with the words "No Shariah" and a Nazi symbol, a media report said on Monday.

The Central Gurdwara near Charing Cross in Glasgow was defaced with the Islamophobic slurs last week, the Herald Scotland reported, adding the police have launched a manhunt for the vandals responsible for it.

"The Sikh community completely abhors the hateful ideology of Islamophobia. We are in complete shock that such disgraceful words were put on the walls of this great gurdwara," said Surjit Singh Chowdhary, vice-president of the Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha.

"These words represent ignorance at its worst. Unfortunately in this climate of rampant Islamophobia, members of the Sikh community have fallen victim too," said Charandeep Singh, general secretary of the Glasgow Gurdwara.

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has urged the members of the public with information to come forward. "The Sikh community is a vital part of Scotland. It's shameful that the iconic Gurdwara has been vandalised. Call the police if you have info," he said on Twitter.

Instances ranging from jeers of "Taliban" or "Bin Laden" directed at turban-wearing Sikh men, to the firebombing of a gurdwara in Kent after the 7/7 London terrorist attacks have beset the Sikh community, Charandeep Singh said.

He added that the Sikh community would continue to have dialogue with the police, local and national politicians "to create an inclusive society and celebrate the contributions made by Scottish Sikhs to our country".