Source: Express
November 4, 2015
Twitter user José Antonio Beltrán shared these shocking photos
The attackers smashed wooden statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus on the cross during the shocking attack earlier this week.
They stormed the Church of our Lady of Carmen in the Spanish town of Rincon de la Victoria, Andalucia on Monday morning.
Spain's Civil Guard has now launched a probe into the vandalism.
The vandals also spray-painted the word 'Allah' on the church
A spokesman for the Diocese of Malaga said the attack – first discovered by priest Agustin Carrasco – was not representative of all Muslims.
He also said it was committed to maintaining "respect and fraternity between different religious groups".
Last month a Moroccan man was arrested in the same town after allegedly trying to damage another statue of the Virgin Mary.
The 27-year-old repeatedly launched a large rock at a wall protecting the statue.
He is also said to have shouted the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar" – meaning "God is great" – while being led away from the shrine by police.
Spain's Civil Guard has now launched a probe into the vandalism
The Muslim population of Andalusia has grown in recent years due to immigration from nearby Morocco, according to the website Breitbart London.
Three years ago, a think-tank claimed Islamists in the region called for a "Andalusia Spring" to "reclaim" Spain for Islam.
The Gatestone Institute also claimed websites "frequented by Islamists and jihadists" were "brimming with calls for the Islamisation of Spain".
