In the early hours of Saturday 21 March, at approximately I arrived at Elaf Mosque in Cheadle Heath, Stockport, and was the first person on the scene.

What I found was something no one should ever have to witness especially not on the morning after Eid.

The front door had been opened. The lock box was damaged and missing. As I stepped inside, it became clear that the mosque had been broken into and vandalised.

In the main prayer hall, Qur’ans had been thrown onto the floor. The sound system had been damaged and taken. The prayer time device had been broken. Lock boxes and storage areas had been forced open, with cash and items removed.

Another upsetting part was what had been done to the areas used by children.

The classrooms had been ransacked. Cupboards broken into. A safe forced open and left on the floor. Items including electrical equipment had been taken. Children’s toys were scattered across the floor, left amongst the damage.

This is not just a building. This is where children learn, where families gather, and where our community comes together especially on days like Eid.

Just hours before, the mosque had been full of people. Families. Children. Smiles. Celebration.

And then, the very next morning, we walked into this.

The sisters’ prayer area upstairs had also been targeted, with cupboards forced open and belongings disturbed or taken.

There is a real sense of shock and anger in the community. Not just because of the theft, but because this was an attack on a place of worship and a space that serves so many people.

We are now coming together to repair the damage, replace what has been stolen, and restore the mosque particularly the educational areas used by children.

Any support you can give, no matter how small, will go directly towards:

Repairing damage to the building

Replacing stolen equipment

Restoring classrooms and children’s resources

Improving security to prevent this happening again

If you are unable to donate, please share this page and help us reach as many people as possible.

All funds raised through this campaign will be received by me as the organiser and will be transferred directly to Elaf Mosque in Cheadle Heath, Stockport. I am acting on behalf of the mosque and its community to ensure the funds are used appropriately and without delay. The money will be used solely for the repair of damage caused by the break-in, replacement of any stolen or damaged items, and to improve security measures such as locks, doors, and CCTV. I will ensure that all funds are passed on in full to the mosque for these purposes.

Thank you for your support.