Banner of support draped over Abergavenny mosque graffiti
On June 10, anti-Muslim propaganda was painted overnight on the old Abergavenny library.
Plans to turn the library into a mosque were announced in May and since then local opinion has been divided.
Written in Arabic the word 'masjid' meaning mosque appeared next to the word 'no.'
Also graffitied were crosses symbolic of the Christian faith.
Racist graffiti on a potential mosque in Abergavenny (Image: NQ) Now, residents against the racism and in favour of the mosque have taken a stand.
A banner with a poignant message was draped over the graffiti.
Reading: 'What unites us is big and beautiful what divides us is small and MEAN.'
Commenting on the graffiti Grofield Ward Councillor Laura Wright said:
'The graffiti on the building and some of the vile, racist comments on social media in the wake of this call-in have been absolutely shameful.
"We will never let hatred and division win here."
banner in support of an Abergavenny Mosque draped over racist graffiti (Image: Laura Wright)
Police are currently investigating the matter.
A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'We received a call at about 8.45am on Tuesday 10 June, reporting criminal damage after graffiti had been sprayed on the old library in Abergavenny overnight.
'This has now been cleaned off and we are treating it as a hate crime.'
Inspector Emma Sowrey said: 'We have been carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible, including house to house and reviewing CCTV. So far, we've been able to establish that the damage happened at about 3am on 10 June.
"I understand the concern that may be felt amongst our communities following this appalling incident which we are treating as a hate crime.
"We will not tolerate any such behaviour and are determined to identify the offenders and bring them to justice."
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