Rotterdam, May 30, 2026 – The Europe Today: A mosque in Rotterdam was attacked and vandalized overnight by a group of unidentified individuals, the Islamic Foundation Netherlands (ISN) said on Friday.
According to the ISN statement, the Mevlana Mosque was targeted at around 22:40 GMT by six perpetrators who damaged parts of the building, including a mosaic wall. The attackers also reportedly threw beer bottles at the mosque and committed further acts of desecration against its exterior.
The foundation stated that mosque officials contacted police multiple times during the incident; however, law enforcement officers arrived only after the attackers had already left the area.
The ISN expressed concern over what it described as a growing sense of insecurity among worshippers, citing an increase in incidents targeting mosques and Muslim communities. It also noted that responding police officers reportedly assessed that the situation did not require immediate intervention.
The statement further said that the delay in the police response and the nature of the attack had caused serious concern within the community. It stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of places of worship and safeguarding the right of individuals to practice their faith freely and without fear.
The Islamic Foundation Netherlands added that it has filed an official criminal complaint regarding the incident and has requested that the case be treated as a priority investigation by the authorities.
