The "anti-Muslim hatred" behind the vile graffiti spray-painted on a Glasgow mosque is part of a "worrying trend" across the country.
Political leaders met with faith leaders at the Glasgow Central Mosque today, October 31, to discuss the incident.
A letter "of solidarity and support" was handed over by Secretary of State Douglas Alexander, on behalf of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at the start of the meeting.
The Southside Faith Centre had graffiti that read "SF Scots First" sprayed on its exterior walls earlier this week, which police are investigating as a hate crime.
READ MORE: Scotland's largest mosque Glasgow 'targeted' with graffiti
Omar Afzal, director of public affairs at the Scottish Association of Mosques, spoke to the Glasgow Times after the meeting.
He said: "It's reassuring to hear from our political leaders that this is something that they're actively looking to tackle: the anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia is something that isn't welcome in Scotland.
"Muslims have been part and parcel of the story and history of Scotland for many centuries; our contribution to Scotland is profound.
"This incident at Glasgow Central Mosque is one in a series that we've seen over the course of the last year across the country."
"When you ask Muslims what they think are the causes of that, it's political rhetoric, it's the framing of Muslims in the media, it's the framing of Muslims as an other or as a fifth column here in Scotland when in fact the reality is organisations like Glasgow Central Mosque are part of the fabric of Scotland."
READ MORE: Police probe 'vile' racist graffiti at Glasgow mosque
Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, echoed the calls for unity in the city.
He said: "I was determined to come here to Glasgow Central Mosque... to show practical solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Muslim faith here in Scotland after a deeply reprehensible attack on this mosque earlier this week.
"I wanted to say that the Muslim community here in Scotland are valued and valuable members of our rich tapestry of life here in Scotland.
"I came here not only in a spirit of solidarity but a spirit of concern to listen and to learn directly from members of this congregation as to how this attack has affected them... and they express real fear and real concern about this attack.
"It's important that politicians speak out and speak up to say we will have no trouble with racism in modern Scotland.
"We've left that far behind, and we are determined to stand together as one city and indeed as one nation."
Douglas added that "words can lead to actions" and that it's "more important than ever" for people to call out racism or hatred, "whether it's in their workplace, in a place of education, or indeed in wider society."
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Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party said the attack showed the communities fear that racism is on the rise.
He said: "It's really important that we demonstrate that those who seek to divide us will not succeed.
"That we stand in solidarity with all of Scotland's diverse communities in the face of every form of prejudice and hate."
"There is no place for racism, anti-semitism, islamophobia or any other form of prejudice in our country."
"People feel that there is a rise of racism, that there is more of a feeling of people questioning their identity, questioning their belonging."
"This is some people who are third-generation, fourth-generation Scots.
"They have been brought up in the city.
"Far too often, racism, Islamophobia, anti-semitism, and other forms of prejudice are undermining people's life chances, life opportunities, and life outcomes."
"We have to stand in solidarity. We have to call out any form of prejudice and hate when it comes. And we have to celebrate our diversity."
Omar added: "It's really positive to see that our political leadership is taking ownership of this issue of the rise in anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia."
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Police are probing the vile racist graffiti at the mosque as a hate crime and say that their enquiries are ongoing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers are appealing for information after a place of worship was vandalised.
"On Monday, 27 October, 2025, we received a report of racially aggravated graffiti at a mosque in Adelphi Street, Glasgow.
"The incident happened between 5pm on Sunday, 26 October and 9am on Monday, 27 October.
"Our investigation is ongoing and this is being treated as hate crime."
Chief Inspector Paul Daley said: "I understand this will be deeply upsetting for both the local and Muslim communities in Glasgow and I want to reassure them we take this kind of offending seriously.
"Such vile graffiti is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"We are carrying out extensive enquiries and I am asking anyone with information about this incident to please contact us.
"You can speak to officers by calling 101 and quoting reference 1222 of 27 October, 2025.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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