CAIR-NY Condemns Hate Vandalism Targeting Long Island Hindu Temple
(NEW YORK, NY, 9/16/24) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned hate vandalism targeting a Hindu temple in Long Island.
Threatening anti-Hindu messages were reportedly spray-painted on the driveway and a sign at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville. Suffolk County police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime.
“We condemn this apparently bias-motivated vandalism and urge all community leaders to speak out against the rising bigotry that inevitably results in such attempts at religious intimidation,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq.
She urged all houses of worship to refer to CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths.
Nasher said Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY 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:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006
Saira Amar, MPA, Communications Coordinator, SAmar@cair.com