Callous thief tiptoes among elderly women worshippers at a mosque and steals a handbag as they kneel forward in prayer

  • He leans over praying women at mosque in Kota Bharu in north western Malaysia
  • The thief made off with £3,655 plus some jewellery after robbing the 74-year-old 
  • Same mosque fell prey to theft in 2017 when its public address system was taken

By Connor Boyd For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A callous thief took advantage of an elderly woman distracted by prayers in a mosque to steal her handbag containing thousands in cash.

The robber, dressed all in black, is seen on CCTV as he leans over a row of women in white performing devotions at a mosque in the city of Kota Bharu in the north western Malaysia.

But on his first attempt he is foiled by his intended victim covering her possessions as she leans forward in the 'sujud' position to pray.

The thief, dressed in all-black, is seen on CCTV as he leans over a row of women in white performing devotions at a mosque in the city of Kota Bharu in the north western Malaysia

The thief, dressed in all-black, is seen on CCTV as he leans over a row of women in white performing devotions at a mosque in the city of Kota Bharu in the north western Malaysia

The thief tiptoes away and returns to the devotees to select a different victim.

After the women have kneeled up and then bowed forward again, he snatches a bag and runs for the door.

Although the alarm was quickly raised, he is reported to have successfully fled with the bag, which the victim, 74, says contained £3,655 plus some jewellery.

Imam Muhamad Lokman Zakaria told local media: 'The woman, being elderly and frail, was praying while seated. 

After the women have kneeled up and then bowed forward again, he snatches a bag and runs for the door

After the women have kneeled up and then bowed forward again, he snatches a bag and runs for the door

Although the alarm was quickly raised, he is reported to have successfully fled with the bag, which the victim, 74, says contained £3,655 plus some jewellery

Although the alarm was quickly raised, he is reported to have successfully fled with the bag, which the victim, 74, says contained £3,655 plus some jewellery

'She had placed her bag under the chair, thinking that it was secure.

'She, however, realised that someone had pulled her bag away. She managed to grab hold of the thief's hand before yelling for help.

'Her plea for help was heard by several men, who paused their prayers to chase the thief but were unsuccessful.'

The same mosque fell prey to thieves in 2017 too, when they took its public address system.

Advising worshippers not to bring valuables to mosque with them, the imam added: 'What I am disappointed with most is that such a thing is happening in our place of worship, whereas other places of worship do not face this problem'

Advising worshippers not to bring valuables to mosque with them, the imam added: 'What I am disappointed with most is that such a thing is happening in our place of worship, whereas other places of worship do not face this problem'

Advising worshippers not to bring valuables to mosque with them, the imam added: 'What I am disappointed with most is that such a thing is happening in our place of worship, whereas other places of worship do not face this problem.'

The elderly victim, who declined to be named, said: 'This is fated, and there's a blessing behind it.

'This episode however has not hampered my resolve to come to the mosque, only next time, I won't be bringing a bag.' 

Malaysia

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