THE chairman of a Newport Muslim group has called for some perspective after anti-Islamic graffiti was sprayed on two mosques in the city on Tuesday night.

The messages – one of which reads “Islam is demonic” - were daubed on the Jamia Mosque on Stow Hill and the Islamic Society of Wales Mosque on Victoria Road.

It comes just a week after the secretary of the Islamic Society of Wales, Mubarak Ali, led a multi-faith peace vigil in the city for the 130 victims of the Paris terrorist attacks.

Ifthir Ahmed, the convenor of Common, an independent group that has united 13 Muslim organisations in Newport, said that the community won’t let the graffiti affect them.

He said: “There is natural concern everyone feels in the wake of the attacks in Paris, and that concern is felt by us all. 

“But those of us who live in Newport known full well there are no tensions arising from this. It’s testament to the good relations that have existed in this city for as long as I can remember and which continue to grow stronger as demonstrated by our collective response to tragedies.

“It’s disappointing that attention has been brought to what is actually just low-level vandalism. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the impression this behaviour is representative of Newport, because it clearly isn’t.

“In all likelihood, this is the action of a single individual. 

“Obviously, it’s not nice that someone has done this as no-one would want offensive messages sprayed on their place of worship, community centre or home, but we need to keep things in their proper perspective.”

Mubarak Ali, secretary of the Islamic Society of Wales, added: “Local Muslims have been, and will continue to be, high profile in condemning all forms of extremism and hosting peace vigils.

“We also have strong links across communities and with out statutory authorities.

“I’d like to thank the police and local authority for their swift action and the well-wishers who’ve offered to clean up the graffiti.”

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said the force are treating the incident as a hate crime and arrangements are in placement to remove the graffiti.

If anyone has any information, call 101, quoting log number 48 25/11/15.