A HEAVY-duty safe containing cash donations was stolen from a mosque in Bury over the Easter weekend.

Thieves broke into the Noor Ul Islam Mosque in Yarwood Street before the building was opened for the call to prayer on Sunday afternoon.

Religious and community leaders said that the theft, which came just after worshippers had handed out chocolates to frontline workers in the borough, was "as an act of desecration."

Thieves broke into the building by smashing the side door, before stealing the cast-iron safe that contained cash donations from members of the congregation.

The break-in was discovered by the Muezzin, as the mosque is being used only for making the obligatory Azan (call to prayer) five times a day.

The mosque remains closed for prayer and educational classes following the national lockdown.

Shahbaz M. Arif, said: "I visited the scene soon after the robbery was discovered. As a member of the local Muslim community, I found the entire incident extremely upsetting.

"It is important we are all extra vigilant in these difficult times. The incident will be looked into and investigated by the authorities."

Cllr Tamoor Tariq said on Twitter: "A real shame that individuals have exploited the current lockdown situation with all places of worship being closed.

"Noor Ul Islam Mosque in Bury was broken into today and a safe containing money was stolen.

"It’s important we are all extra vigilant in these difficult times."

He later told the Bury Times:

"This was a callous act carried out by sickened individuals who have exploited the current lockdown which has meant the full closure of all places of worship.

"I’m pleased that CCTV footage showing the robbery has been recovered, and GMP are investigating.

"I’m hoping like many others that those involved face the full force of the law, and are punished for the loss and damage they have brought to a place of worship but also the wider community.

"This is a reminder to us all to support one another and remain vigilant in these difficult times as clearly there are people out there ready to take advantage."

Before the weekend members of the congregation had teamed up with Bury North MP James Daly and the proprietor of a local firm, Ice Box, to hand out chocolates on Good Friday as a goodwill gesture.

Chocolates were delivered to Bury Ambulance Station, Bury Fire Station, Fairfield General Hospital, and several care organisations, such as Elizabeth House, Bluebird Care, and Gorsey Clough Care Home.

Mr Daly said then: "This crisis presents a huge challenge to all of us in Bury. The challenges posed by this pandemic cannot be met by a lone individual or a single organisation.

"We must all unite to help the weakest and most vulnerable in our community and continue to support our frontline workers in the NHS and all other public services."

Mosque official Zubair Khan said “We hope our donation will help to keep the spirits of our front line workers high."

Mr Shah, of Ice Box, added: "We felt we must help our MP and work hand-in-hand with him to support our community."