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Vandals forced Cardiff mosque to shut after robbery

A Cardiff mosque has been forced to close after being smashed up by intruders. Police are investigating after the Rabbaniah Islamic Cultural Centre suffered thousands of pounds of damage after burglars pulled down the ceiling and ripped charity boxes from the walls.

The mosque in Grangetown has had to close its doors. Credit: Wales News Service

This break-in will be devastating to the local community. It's terrible, people can't believe it. The damage is massive. At the end of the day we can't run this organisation until the roof is sorted, because we're a charitable organisation we don't have the money or ability to fix the roof yet.

– Khalid Farid

The cultural centre in Grangetown was completely wrecked by the intruders who stole at least £4,000 of money stored in charity collection boxes and locked safes containing wages for staff.

The burglars first broke into the main hall but then rampaged through the mosque and cultural centre - tearing down the internal roof to get up to the office on the first floor. Computers were stamped on, CCTV cameras were pulled from the walls and doors have been kicked through.

The Rabbaniah Islamic Cultural Centre aims to promote religious harmony. Credit: Wales News Service

Mr Farid said there was hope the vandals would be caught because despite the CCTV cameras being taken the hard drives still remained. South Wales Police say they are investigating and are appealing for information.