Theft rampant in Cianjur Grand Mosque

Theft rampant in Cianjur Grand Mosque

CIANJUR, West Java: Muslims are staying away from the Grand Mosque in Cianjur regency, West Java, during prayer time because of a mini crime wave at the mosque.

It seems that whenever Muslims at the mosque turn their back, someone walks off with their personal belongings.

The thieves generally target handbags, shoes and sandals.

The thieves operate by entering the mosque on the pretext of praying, then quietly slipping out to make off with the belongings of their fellow worshipers.

A villager from the southern part of Cianjur said he lost a bag containing several books and money to the crafty thieves.

Dani Hamdani, Cianjur's youth leader, said on Thursday security at the mosque was very poor, allowing the thieves to operate freely.

"We will ask the mosque management to tighten security in order to guarantee the safety of those praying," he said. --Antara