The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction and calls for a probe into a possible hate motive for a recent vandalism of a mosque and construction equipment in Warren, Michigan.
An official at the Islamic Organization of North American (IONA) contacted CAIR-MI to report the vandalism of its mosque including its expansion project as well as construction company equipment. The vandalism included wall damage, broken windows, and graffiti on the floor and on construction equipment. The vandalism took place sometime between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Mosque officials have reported the vandalism to the Warren Police Department.
“We call on anyone who witnessed this vandalism or was told about this criminal act to immediately contact the Warren Police Department,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “There is no valid justification for anyone to vandalize private property, especially a house of worship.”
Walid, who is also a regular prayer leader at this house of worship, also noted that IONA was the first mosque established in the city of Warren which faced stiff anti-Muslim opposition and has subsequently been vandalized and threatened numerous times.
SEE: CAIR-MI: Michigan Imam, Mosque Threatened
CAIR-MN recently called for a probe of a possible bias motive of an arson attack against a mosque in Bloomington, MN.
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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; IONA President Steve Elturk, 248-210-4156, ameer@ionaonline.org