Swastika painted on mosque in Belgium's capital, authorities launch probe

A mosque in Belgian capital Brussels' Laeken district was defaced with a swastika late Saturday night in what Brussels Minister for Local Government and Equal Opportunities Ahmed Laaouej described as an "Islamophobic act."

The Nazi symbol was discovered at around 1 am local time (2300 GMT), Laaouej said in a statement cited by news portal BRUZZ on Sunday.

Police were notified and are preparing an official report on the incident.

Laaouej visited the mosque alongside Brussels Alderman for Religious Affairs Khalid Zian, expressing solidarity with the mosque's community and worshippers.

"The presence of a Nazi symbol is particularly serious," Laaouej said, condemning the incident and stressing the need to identify those responsible.

Authorities will investigate the incident and work to identify the perpetrators.