Muslim graves in UK desecrated with white paint amid ongoing far-right riots

As Islamophobic violence rises in the UK, unidentified individuals desecrated Muslim graves with white paint at a local cemetery, police said on Tuesday.

Muslim gravestones were desecrated with paint at Burnley Cemetery around 4:15 pm BST.

Town councilor Afrasiab Anwar accused perpetrators of attempting to “provoke racial tensions” by carrying out an "evil" act.

"There are heinous individuals who are looking to provoke a reaction in our communities,” Mr Anwar maintained.

He swiftly hired professional cleaners after discovering the vandalism and informed the concerned families.

After learning of the incident, local residents also volunteered to clean the damaged gravestones.

The Mayor of Burnley, Shah Hussain, requested the local communities to remain calm and said, "As someone who has family buried there I know this will be an extremely worrying time for us all. It is very upsetting this has happened."

According to authorities, CCTV footage was under review as part of the investigation.

Lancashire Police emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating that they were earnestly probing the matter.

"We do not tolerate hate of any form, and we will do everything in our power to identify the offenders and take the appropriate action,” the police said. 

Hate crimes against Islam's believers have increased following the spread of rumours that the perpetrator of the Southport stabbing attacks was a Muslim.