West End Islamic Center releases community statement after second recent vandalism
(WASHINGTON D.C., 4/17/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for vandalism targeting a Virginia mosque.
Vandals smashed a window and did other damage to the interior of the newly-constructed West End Islamic Center in Glen Allen, Va., on Saturday. This was reportedly the second time vandals targeted the facility.
Following the incident, the West End Islamic Center released the following statement:
“The West End Islamic Center is a community-based center in Glen Allen, VA. We have worked with Henrico County officials and our neighbors for over ten years to assist in opening our doors just in time for our holy month of Ramadan.
“However, it is with great sadness that in just six months, West End Islamic Center has experienced two incidents of vandalism. The most recent occurred on Saturday, April 16 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. We feel compelled to speak out against these expressions of hatred. An attack on any house of worship certainly feels like an assault on the community.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to capture the incident and perpetrators on security cameras. We nevertheless feel that this incident merits local, state, and federal authorities to investigate these events as a hate crime.
“The rights of all people of faith is a founding principle of America. This attack is incredibly hurtful. It’s hard to imagine that someone would want to attack our place of worship. We do not know or understand the motivation of the person(s). What we do know is that love is stronger than hate, and the members of our mosque will stand together. We trust that our neighbors and friends will continue to stand with us and support our community as we worship during this holy month of Ramadan.”
PHOTOS OF VANDALISM:
https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GlennAllenVandalism.jpg
“We call on law enforcement to swiftly investigate this crime and increase patrols in the area until those responsible are apprehended,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “Because the attackers vandalized the mosque without stealing anything, law enforcement should also investigate a possible bias motive for this incident. Everyone in our nation, regardless of faith, must be free to worship without the threat of harassment or violence.”
He noted that yesterday, CAIR similarly called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for an incident at a Vermont college in which urine was reportedly poured outside a Muslim prayer space on campus.
Mitchell urged houses of worship in Virginia and nationwide to take extra security precautions using its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety“ booklet. The advice in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to religious institutions of all faiths.
The booklet may be viewed at: https://www.cair.com/mosque-and-community-safety/
CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: [email protected], CC [email protected]
END
CONTACT: West End Islamic Center Representative Syed Kashif Perwez, 804-476-0728, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]