SECURITY has been increased at a mosque in Cumbernauld after it was daubed with phrases associated with extreme right-wing groups.

The anti-Islamic graffiti, making references to the Crusades, was sprayed on the walls of the mosque in North Lanarkshire during the hours of darkness between late on Friday night and early Saturday morning.

The attack was greeted with anger and dismay yesterday and increased security at the mosque.The building has previously had windows smashed in what one of its trustees said were “minor attacks”.

Police Scotland is investigating the incident, which it is treating as a hate crime.

Mosque leaders described the incident as “unusual” and said people were “very worried” by it.

The graffiti has now been removed.

Mr Azhar Din, a trustee of The Islamic Education Trust Cumbernauld, which runs the mosque, said it was discovered when the first people arrived for morning prayers at about half past seven on Saturday.

He added: “We have increased the security around the place and we have to be more vigilant.

“We have had a lot of support and messages, we have a great and supportive community there – we have had a some minor instances in the past. But nothing like this.

“The nature of the graffiti has surprised a lot of people – we have been told that it is the language of extreme right groups. We are trying to reassure people and Police Scotland have been fantastic and supportive.”

He said that since the mosque opened more than three years ago the local community has been supportive.

“We have isolated incidents which happen when something kicks off in the news but we have more or less been quite fortunate.”

Aamer Anwar, the prominent lawyer, said: “Cumbernauld Mosque – Islamophobic graffiti with ‘Deus Vult’ war cry of the first crusaders & used by Alt-right/Nazis today.”

Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government Minister for Transport & the Islands and MSP for Glasgow Pollok also Tweeted: “Horrific, not the first attack on a Mosque in Scotland.

“I know the voices of goodwill far outweigh the voices of hatred,” he added.

The words “Saracen Go Home” and the term “Deus Vult”, translated from Latin as “God Wills It”, were painted on two walls.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that an investigation is under way following an act of vandalism in Cumbernauld and inquiries are continuing.

“Hate crime remains a priority for Police Scotland and we are working closely with our criminal justice partners to do everything in our power to protect all communities and eradicate all forms of hatred.”