A BEWSEY mosque has opened its doors to the man who sent the holy site a malicious message following the Easter Sunday Sri Lanka suicide attacks.

Concerns have been raised after the alarming message was sent to Warrington Islamic Association Centre, on Lockton Lane, through its Facebook page.

It read: “An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.

“You will not live in peace wherever Chrsitians (sic) are murdered.”

Cheshire Police launched an investigation after being made aware of the matter last week.

“On Tuesday, officers received a report of malicious social media message directed at a mosque in Warrington,” said chief inspector Simon Meegan.

“The investigation is ongoing and, while there is no specific threat, we have been in contact with the mosque and other places of worship to provide reassurance and additional visibility in the area.”

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Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane added: “We do not tolerate hate crime of any sort and will work hard to bring perpetrators to account, as well as helping protect those at risk.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their place of worship and I am pleased that Cheshire Police is working with Warrington Islamic Association and other places of worship following this reported incident to provide reassurance and additional visibility in the vicinity.”

It has also sparked a response from Cllr Tony Higgins, executive board member for leisure and community and deputy chairman of the Warrington hate crime panel.

He says the right of freedom of speech ‘sits at the very heart of a free and open society’ but insists it should never be abused.

“We all have a duty to call out those who use the guise of freedom of speech to channel their bigotry and undermine our values of decency,” he said.

Mo Hussain, vice chairman of Warrington Islamic Association and general secretary of Warrington Ethnic Communities Association, admits the message has ‘created some fear and anxiety among members’, although they are treating it as an isolated incident.

He added: “Our humble request to the person responsible for the message is to meet and welcome you in a spirit of friendship and understanding – and to explore new ways of making our beautiful town even more enjoyable, diverse and peaceful to live in.”