Mosque “Wake-Up Call” After Teen’s Planned Massacre

Mosque “Wake-Up Call” After Teen’s Planned Massacre
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A mosque in Inverclyde, Scotland, has described a recent foiled terror plot as a “wake-up call” for its security, Sky News reported. A 16-year-old teenager, who was radicalized online and had sympathies with the Nazi Party, planned to carry out a massacre at the Inverclyde Muslim Centre.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pretended to convert to Islam to gain access to the mosque in December 2024. He used the opportunity to film and sketch the building, identifying areas where he planned to trap and kill the 275 worshippers. He intended to livestream the attack.

Police, acting on intelligence, arrested the boy as he arrived at the mosque to carry out the attack. A search of his rucksack revealed an air pistol, ball bearings, and other materials. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf and components for explosive devices.

Hamid Akhtar, a representative from the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, said the incident has led to the installation of more security cameras. The teenager, who has an autism diagnosis, has pleaded guilty under the Terrorism Act and is awaiting sentencing.