The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the recent anti-Hindu vandalism targeting a Hindu temple in San Bernardino County.
SEE: Southern California Hindu temple desecrated with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti calls for peace
On Saturday, March 8, worshippers at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, reported anti-Hindu and anti-Indian government graffiti on a sign with the temple’s name. The graffiti included the words “Hindustan Murdabad,” meaning “death to” or “down with” Hindus and India.
The San Bernardino Police Department said they are currently investigating the incident as a hate crime.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“Hate of any kind must not be tolerated in our communities, and we strongly condemn this blatant display of bigotry. The Hindu community deserves to feel safe, especially at their place of worship, and this apparent hate crime infringes on that right to safety. We applaud the San Bernardino Police Department’s prompt response in investigating this incident.”
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com