The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a Norfolk, Virginia, mosque as a hate crime.
Norfolk police are investigating the vandalism, which included crosses spray-painted on the exterior of the house of worship, which occurred Sunday night at the Masjid Ash-Shura Mosque.
SEE: Norfolk mosque vandalized with black crosses painted on building
“Such acts of apparently bias-motivated vandalism targeting a place of worship are meant to intimidate and instill fear, not just in the local Muslim community but in all communities that value religious freedom,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We urge law enforcement at every level to treat this incident with the seriousness it deserves and to investigate it as a possible hate crime.”
Hooper noted that earlier this week, CAIR’s Minnesota chapter responded to a fire that heavily damaged the Masjid Hamza AI-Mahmood Foundation and Baitul Hikmah Academy in Prior Lake. [NOTE: “Masjid” is “mosque” in Arabic.]
He urged Muslim community leaders to use CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet, which offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]