Bag of destroyed Korans and dead bird left at door of mosque

A mosque in Flevoland has been targeted by racists who left a bag of shredded Korans on the doorstep.

The bag was found on Sunday morning outside the Yunus Esme Mosque, one of two in Emmeloord. Flyers were attached to some of the books with slogans such as “stop Islamisation”, “No Jihad in the Netherlands” and “No mosque in our street.”

Omroep Flevoland said the incident was one of several in recent weeks at the mosque, which is next door to a police station on Harmen Visserplein. On Friday a dead bird was placed on the doormat shortly before weekly prayers began.

The imam has received threatening phone calls from people vowing to destroy the building while people were worshipping inside. “We’re going to crush you,” the anonymous callers reportedly said.

The chair of the mosque, named only as Aslan, said social activities such as children’s groups and youth clubs, had been suspended while police investigate the incidents.

He told Omroep Flevoland mosque goers had had good relations with the local community, the police and the council since the mosque was founded in 2010.

“What‘s happening now is totally unexpected,” he said. “Maybe those who did it aren’t from Emmeloord: maybe it’s somebody from outside.”

The Dutch Islamic foundation ISN said it had seen a rise in threats and intimidation towards mosques in recent months. “We have called on politicians to reel in polarisation and protect Muslims and mosques, but sadly there has been no response.”