EDINBURGH, Scotland — Police Scotland has launched an investigation after the Edinburgh Central Mosque was vandalised with hate-motivated graffiti, underscoring concerns about religious hostility and community safety in the Scottish capital. The incident occurred on the night of Friday, January 16, 2026, and mosque officials and local residents have condemned the attack as deeply distressing and unacceptable.

According to police, officers were alerted around 12:25 p.m. on January 17 after reports of vandalism at the mosque on Potterrow. The graffiti reportedly included hostile phrases targeting members of the Muslim community and was discovered on the exterior of the mosque building. Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances and identify those responsible.

Leaders at Edinburgh Central Mosque expressed their profound sadness and concern at the incident, noting that acts of hatred and intimidation cause distress not only within the Muslim community but among all residents who value peace, mutual respect and diversity in the city. The mosque reaffirmed its role as a place of worship, welcome and service to people across the wider community and urged anyone with information to assist in the police investigation.

Local residents responded to reports of the graffiti with shock and condemnation, describing it as a “sickening” act that does not reflect the inclusive values held by most of Edinburgh’s citizens. Community voices emphasised that instances of vandalism motivated by hostility or prejudice are rare and widely rejected by the city’s population.

Legal and Social Context

Under Scottish law, offences aggravated by prejudice against a protected characteristic — including religion — may attract enhanced sanctions when prosecuted. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 provides the legal framework for investigating and prosecuting crimes motivated by religious hostility, and police forces routinely urge public cooperation in identifying offenders to uphold community safety and mutual respect.

Faith centres such as mosques play a central role in Muslim community life, serving not only as places of prayer but also as hubs for social support, education and interfaith engagement. Acts targeting these spaces can have a wider emotional and psychological impact, heightening fears among minority communities and drawing broader calls for unity against prejudice. Civil rights advocates emphasise that maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all faiths is essential to social cohesion.

Police Scotland has encouraged anyone with information about the graffiti incident to come forward as part of ongoing enquiries. Authorities have reiterated that hate-motivated vandalism is taken seriously and that preventing such crimes is vital to protecting both individual rights and community harmony.