DUBAI // A man stole mobile phones, bank cards, a laptop and cash from worshippers’ bags while they prayed at a mosque, the Dubai Criminal Court was told.
M K, 24, from Pakistan, appeared before the court earlier this month charged with disrespecting a place of worship and theft.
The court heard that on August 13 this year, Indian salesman A A A, 31, was performing Al Maghrib prayers at Al Qarq Mosque in Al Karama.
When he finished, he found that someone had taken his bag containing a mobile phone, ID cards, bank cards and Dh200 in cash.
M M, 34, a Jordanian machinery operator, told the court his bag was also stolen while he was praying at the same mosque.
“I lost my bag, which had my IDs and other personal belongings in it,” he said.
The court was also told that A A, 26, an Indian accountant, had his laptop stolen from the Al Qarq Mosque.
When police arrested M K they found he had a criminal record for similar thefts and had been sentenced to a month in prison followed by deportation.
M K confessed to the new thefts. His case has been referred to Dubai Court of Misdemeanours.
salamir@thenational.ae
