:dateline:Scottish Sikhs reportedly come across a hate crime incident on August 28 when the Edinburgh�s �Gurdwara Sahib, situated on the corner of Mill Lane and Sheriff Brae in Leith, witnessed an arson attack by unidentified assailants at 05:05 am . Although, no one was injured but the building suffered smoke damage due to this petrol bomb attack.
�We regret to inform you that Guru Nanak Gurdwara suffered an arson attack this morning at 5am. Someone tried to burn down the front door. There’s a lot of internal smoke damage, and access to Gurdwara Sahib has been denied by police, until smoke clears and is safe to enter. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee’s Saroops are untouched, but Diwan hall has major smoke damage. Investigations are ongoing, and forensic officers are on site� posted the Management Committee on Facebook page of Gurdwara Sahib.
Gulab Singh, a committee member of the Gurdwara Sahib said: “When I heard there was a fire I had to rush here and go upstairs to check Mahraaj’s saroops [the Sikh holy scripture] with my own eyes.”I’m quite surprised at this attack, the Gurdwara Sahib enjoys a good relationship with the local community here” he added.
Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government�s justice secretary, said that he was saddened at the news that a Sikh temple in Edinburgh was petrol-bombed.
�How sad that a place of worship should be the target of such a hateful act but I am glad that no one was injured and extend sympathy to the Sikh community in Edinburgh.We recognize the actions of a small minority do not reflect the good relations that exist with your local community. There is no room in Scotland for intolerance� commented Rt Rev Susan Brown, a moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Interacting with media, the Scotland Police insisted that the exact cause of the blaze was still under investigation and refused to confirm that it was the result of a petrol bombing.
Anyone, having information about the attack, has been appealed to contact Gayfield CID via 101 and quote incident number 385 of the 28 August by the Police. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a 49 year old man has been arrested by the Police in this concern.
