St. George's Cross Graffiti Vandalizes Street Signs Near Mosque

Residents of Whitley, Reading, are expressing concern and frustration after a series of street signs near the Al Majid Centre mosque were defaced with England flag graffiti. The incident, which occurred late at night, is part of a national trend dubbed "Operation Raise the Colours," where masked individuals have been painting the St. George's cross on public property.

The graffiti was discovered on signs at a major roundabout on Northumberland Avenue, a prominent location where the former Whitley Library building now serves as the Al Majid Centre. The mosque, which opened in 2022, is a central part of the local community. Similar vandalism was also reported on signs for nearby Long Barn Lane and Cressingham Road.

Barkat Ali, the founder of the Al Majid Centre, spoke with heartfelt disappointment about the incident. "The community here is so lovely," he said. "I can't understand why these people would do this. Our community has always come together to help each other and make this a beautiful place."

According to Ali, security guards at the mosque noticed the vandalism in progress. "They came with a paint roller and a brush the night before," he explained, referring to the Sunday incident. "The security guard came out to stop them, and the person ran away. We have CCTV footage, and the police and council are now handling it."

The defacement of public property is a criminal offense. Putting graffiti on road signs is considered criminal damage and vandalism, which can lead to a fixed penalty notice, a fine of up to £2,500, or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Reading Borough Council has condemned the actions, highlighting the danger they pose. "We appreciate that people may want to show their patriotism, but we cannot condone this action, which presents a safety risk to the public," a council spokesperson stated. Council street cleaners were dispatched to the area on Tuesday to remove the paint, a process that is ongoing at other vandalized sites across Whitley.

The Al Majid Welfare Trust acquired the former library building in 2020, and it has since become an important part of the neighborhood. This act of vandalism is a stark contrast to the mosque's mission of community building and inclusion, leaving many to wonder about the motivations behind the so-called "Operation Raise the Colours."