Newcastle’s West End was blighted by three graffiti messages that appeared overnight about the terrorist group ISIS.
Business owner Najeb Kosar woke up to find the words ‘Turkish ISIS Supporters’ spray-painted onto an outside wall of his shop on Thursday morning.
It was one of three messages relating to the terrorist organisation, which most recently beheaded British cab driver Alan Henning, that were spotted in the area after they appeared overnight.
The graffiti has been condemned by local residents and campaigners calling for better understanding between Muslims and the wider community.
Najeb, 39, said: “I opened my shop and quite a few people were standing around holding their mouth when they were reading it.”
The shop owner, from Afghanistan, has lived in the area for the last 15 years and said he did not understand why his shop had been defaced with the writing.
He said: “We have no idea why they have written it. I run a business, I’m not in politics. It shouldn’t be anything to do with us.
“I don’t think they have targeted me personally, they are passing on their message to others.”
The shop owner called the police non-emergency number 101 and the message was quickly washed away by Newcastle City Council staff.
But it is unclear whether the building was defaced in an anti-Muslim act or whether it was a pro-ISIS message. One version of the graffiti appeared to read ‘Turkish ISIS supporters. Long life to you’.
Iftikar Akram, owner of NE Smartphones in the area, said he did not understand what the message was trying to achieve.
“I don’t know what that means. Is it other people trying to call the Turkish terrorists? I don’t know the purpose of it,” he said.
But the message has caused concern that tension could develop in the area.
Najeb, who has lived in the area for 15 years, added that he has never seen any trouble in the community.
He said: “It’s a big Muslim community around here, but there are also people from all over Europe. Everyone is nice and friendly, people are living peacefully.”
One man, who did not want to be named, said: “I have lived here eight months and as far as I can see, there is no problem between the Muslim community and the wider community in the West end. But someone is trying to stir up trouble.”
Abu Tayeb KhairDeen, founder of Islamic Diversity, an organisation promoting better understanding of the Islamic faith, said he believed the incident was an anti-Muslim action.
He said the graffiti was a “relatively minor” incident in comparison to some of the most violent aggression he has seen against Muslims but added it could cause problems.
“Most people are disgusted by it, whether they’re Muslims or non-Muslims. It’s uncalled for. It sends a level of intimidation to the local community,” he said.
“It increases tensions in the sense that certainly some of the youth may feel they need to retaliate. There’s a possibility of backlash.”
He added that those who spray-painted the message had engaged in criminal activity and should be brought to justice.
Northumbria Police is now carrying out enquiries about the graffiti.
Neighbourhood Inspector Barrie Joisce said: “Graffiti not only causes an issue for individuals but it impacts on wider communities, particularly when it’s sprayed in places which are passed daily by the public.
“It’s an eyesore and a criminal offence and offenders could find themselves in court. I’d urge anyone who recognises tags or has information about those involved in graffiti in the area to get in touch with police so we can investigate.”
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