(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/21/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed charges for a suspected perpetrator of vandalism targeting an Islamic center in Portales, New Mexico.
A 14 year-old suspect in the vandalism of the Portales Islamic Center has been charged. The suspect is allegedly one of several who participated in the vandalism, and reportedly only participated in spray painting the outside of the building.
The mosque was vandalized five times in June, including one incident in which vandals ripped up copies of the Holy Quran, Islam’s revealed text, and poured beer on their pages. (The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.) Vandals stabbed holes into the walls of the building and damaged the building’s AC unit.
The suspect said he only participated in the vandalism from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29 after he and two friends found the building’s back door already busted open and discovered holes in the wall, with broken glass and other damage, including spray-painted walls.
SEE: Teen charged in mosque vandalism
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We welcome the arrest of this suspect. The congregation of the Portales Islamic Center has seen their house of worship desecrated and deserve to have justice. Given the young age of the suspect and the value our faith places on mercy and forgiveness, we urge law enforcement to pursue restorative action and opportunities for learning about Islam and the Muslim community.”
He noted that CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive in the vandalism and called for stepped-up police patrols in the area of the mosque.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR Calls for Probe of Possible Bias Motive for Vandalism Targeting N.M. Mosque, Stepped-Up Patrols
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, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com