The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed the arrest of a suspect accused of drawing a hateful, anti-Muslim graffiti on the exterior of Al Falah Centerin Bridgewater.
The graffiti contains a derogatory and anti-Muslim remark against Islam’s Prophet Mohammed. It was first spotted on July 19 and reported to CAIR-NJ on July 21.
The suspect has been booked into Somerset County jail and faces charges of criminal mischief for damaging property and bias with purpose to intimidate, according to the county.
CAIR-NJ condemns all forms of bigotry and calls for a hate crime investigation.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Far too often mosques and Islamic centers throughout New Jersey and beyond are subjected to hateful acts such as this at Al Falah Center.
“Al Falah Center is the heartbeat of the Bridgewater Muslim community. Witnessing such a vile message on the house of worship is unsettling and alarming to the many Muslims who seek the masjid for spiritual growth and community.
“We call on leaders and law enforcement to support the Muslim community and investigate this incident as the hate crime that it is.”
In a statement, Al Falah Center said:
“Al Falah Center was deeply shocked to discover the anti-Muslim graffiti following Friday prayer, a weekly ritual that draws dozens of Muslims in the Bridgewater community. The hateful message should be thoroughly investigated, and justice must be served in accordance with the law.
“Despite the hateful act against our community, we invite the perpetrator for a proper visit at Al Falah Center for an open dialogue about Islam and Muslims. Al Falah Center’s doors will remain open to welcome anyone curious to learn about our Islamic faith and values.”
The anti-Muslim graffiti incident at the Al Falah Center is just one of dozens of complaints CAIR-NJ received this year.
From January 1 to June 30, CAIR-NJ has received 186 complaints putting the chapter on pace to surpass last year’s total of 304 reports.
One of this year’s incidents unfolded about 20 miles southeast of Al Falah Center at the Muslim Chaplaincy house at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, which fell victim to violent vandalism in April on the morning of the first day of Eid ul-Fitr.
CAIR-NJ urges all houses of worship to refer to CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths.
Earlier this year, CAIR released new civil rights data showing that it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid the ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com