Birmingham: 'Islam must die' and swastika graffiti daubed on University as city mosque attacked

Police have suggested that separate Islamophobic attacks at the University of Birmingham and a nearby mosque are linked, after the words "Islam must die" and a swastika were daubed on a wall at the student campus.

Islamophobic graffiti was sprayed on walls at the university, in Edgbaston, and the Jahalabad mosque on Dartmouth Road, Selly Oak, on Friday evening (16-17 January).

The offensive language and symbol have since been scrubbed from the wall of the old university gym, but students remain shocked at the incident.

Hannah Myerson, a third year Jewish student studying English, told student newspaper The Tab: "As a Jewish student, I find it deeply disturbing that the rising anti-semitism in Europe has reached our campus.

"This incident makes students of all minority groups feel alienated on the basis of their religious beliefs or background, and must be condemned."

Sergeant Pete Sandhu, responsible for policing in Edgbaston, said: "Mindless hate of this kind has no place in 21st century Birmingham and work is underway to find the person responsible.

"My officers have visited both sites and spoken to a number of people.

"Evidential photographs have been taken and CCTV which may have captured the vandal is currently being reviewed."

The graffiti has also been removed from the Jahalabad mosque as inquiries continue.

The attacks come one week after American news channel Fox News was forced to apologise on behalf of commentator Steve Emerson, who described Birmingham as a "totally Muslim" city where "non-Muslims simply don't go."

The pundit also issued a personal apology and donated £500 to a Birmingham children's hospital.

Anyone with information should call police on 101. People who don't want to speak with police officers directly should contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.