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The Inverclyde Muslim Centre, a tranquil mosque in Greenock, was the target of a planned terrorist attack by a teenager who pretended to convert to Islam to infiltrate the community. The plot was thwarted by police in January, just as the 17-year-old was preparing to carry out a firebombing massacre that he intended to livestream. The resilient community is now reflecting on the close call, expressing gratitude for the police intervention.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, became radicalized on social media at age 13 and was an admirer of mass murderer Anders Breivik. He believed white people were in a “war” against other races and initially planned to attack his school before shifting his focus to the mosque. The teen successfully gained the trust of the mosque's Imam, Muhammad Bilal, by expressing a desire to convert to Islam. Bilal described the teenager as a "very good boy," and the teen was even left alone inside the mosque, where he was able to film and create sketches of areas where he planned to trap his victims. The mosque has a capacity of 275 worshippers.
On the day of the planned attack, the teenager left his home with a backpack and messaged friends, "Today, I choose what my life was and will be." He arrived at the mosque but was unable to enter as the door was locked. Police, acting on intelligence, arrested him and found a German-manufactured air pistol, ball bearings, gas cartridges, and four cans of aerosol spray in his bag. A subsequent search of his home uncovered further disturbing items, including a copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf, knives, and ingredients for explosive substances.
Despite the shocking betrayal, the community remains resilient. Hamid Akhtar, a representative from the center, said the incident was a "wake-up call" and praised the police. Since the incident, the center has increased its security measures, including the installation of more security cameras. The teenager, now 17, has pleaded guilty to terrorism offenses at the High Court in Glasgow and is awaiting sentencing.
According to a 2022 census, the number of Muslims in Inverclyde has seen a significant increase, rising from 197 in 2011 to 501 in 2022. This represents a 154% rise over the decade. The community at the Inverclyde Muslim Centre is diverse, with members of Pakistani, Afghan, and Syrian descent, among others. Imam Muhammad Bilal, Hamid Akhtar, and Adeel Naeen, all quoted in the original reports, are believed to be of Pakistani origin, based on their names.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat of hate crime in Scotland. The latest available data from the Scottish Government for 2023-24 shows police recorded 6,227 hate crimes. Of these, 63% were racially aggravated, while 7% were motivated by religion. While overall hate crime numbers have shown a slight decrease, racial and religious-based crimes continue to be a significant concern, with under-reporting remaining a serious issue.
