(PHOENIX, AZ, 2/10/2022) – The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) today called on law enforcement authorities to take ‘concrete action’ to protect a Tucson mosque from continued vandalism.
Incidents involving University of Arizona students throwing items off high-rise apartment buildings onto the Islamic Center of Tucson have been occurring for the past several years. The latest incident occurred last month. A video posted to Instagram shows containers and boxes being thrown at the mosque from the balconies of student housing apartments.
Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik said students have previously thrown whiskey and beer bottles and pumpkins at the mosque. He provided the Instagram video to police.
SEE: UArizona students still throwing items at mosque from nearby high-rise after 7 years
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We unfortunately see anti-Muslim bigotry and attacks on houses of worship rising nationwide. The disturbing pattern of vandalism impacting the Islamic Center of Tucson must be taken seriously. We call on local and state law enforcement authorities to take concrete action to protect the mosque and ensure these attacks do not continue.”
Abuseif noted that in December 2021, CAIR-Arizona called for stepped-up security for the Islamic Center of Tucson after the mosque was vandalized and two worshippers were assaulted on their way to morning prayers.
SEE: CAIR-Arizona Calls for Stepped-Up Security after Tucson Assault and Mosque Vandalism
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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-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, [email protected], 602-349-1573; 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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]