BREAKING: CAIR-NY, Islamic Leadership Council of New York Call for Hate Crime Probe of ‘Death to Palestine’ Vandalism Targeting Brooklyn Mosque on Muslim Holiday of Eid
(NEW YORK, NY, 5/13/2021) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) and Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York (ILCNY) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting Tayba Islamic Center on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn as a possible hate crime. “Death to Palestine” was reportedly sprayed painted on the mosque overnight.
The vandalism was discovered around 6 a.m. as worshipers arrived to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) holiday marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is one of the holiest days in Islam.
SEE: ‘Death to Palestine’ spray painted on Brooklyn mosque
https://abc7ny.com/tayba-islamic-center-mosque-vandalism-ramadan-eid-al-fitr/10626345/
Brooklyn mosque vandalized with ‘death to Palestine’ graffiti
In a statement, CAIR-NY Legal Director Ahmed Mohamed said:
“We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the apparent bias motive for this vandalism and call on elected leaders to denounce this hateful act and the violent rhetoric.
“The Muslim community is facing attacks around the world, and the lack of effective responses to atrocities committed abroad seem to have emboldened those here to act on their hatred for Muslims and Palestinians.
“Given the events in Palestine and the Eid holiday, law enforcement must investigate this vandalism as a hate crime and swiftly apprehend the suspect. Muslims deserve to worship in peace whether in Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, throughout Palestine or in Tayba Islamic Center, Brooklyn.”
ILCNY Outreach Manager Mosaab Sadeia stated:
“Over the past four days we have seen a rise in disturbing rhetoric from public officials, city agencies, and political candidates that completely dehumanizes Palestinians and Muslims alike. Several elected officials have thrown blind support behind Israel’s atrocities with little regard for how that affects Muslim communities, as both constituents at home and humans abroad. The vandalism that took place earlier today is a direct consequence of that.
“We are calling on public officials to cease this dangerous rhetoric of dehumanization and make an active effort to protecting Muslim communities. Considering the circumstances, we are calling on law enforcement to investigate this incident as a hate crime. Protecting Masjids should not be politically contentious.”
The vandalism comes on the heels of widespread human rights atrocities by Israeli authorities in Gaza and Jerusalem, including the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and the desecration and attack on Al-Aqsa (one of the holiest places of worship in Islam) during Ramadan evening prayers.
SEE: COMMUNITY ADVISORY: CAIR Urges Local Muslim Communities to Question Elected Officials Who Take Part in Eid Events About Palestinian Rights
CAIR Calls on Biden Administration to End Its Silence, Stop Israel’s Killing of Civilians in Gaza
CAIR Calls on U.S. Government to ‘Defund Israeli Apartheid’ After Human Rights Watch Report Outlines ‘Systematic Oppression of Palestinians’
CAIR to Media Outlets: Stop Calling Israeli Attacks on Palestinians Protesting Ethnic Cleansing and Apartheid ‘Clashes’ – #SaveSheikhJarrah
CAIR-New York is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
ILCNY is an umbrella of over 90 mosques and organizations, Majlis Ash-Shura of New York serves as the official representative of its members with the media, organizations, advocacy groups, political candidates, and government institutions. Its mission is to provide a united platform for the New York Muslim community through advocacy, network building, and representing important issues for marginalized communities.
END
CONTACT: Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; Mosaab Sadeia, ILCNY Outreach Manager, 347-274-4704, mosaab.sadeia@shuranewyork.org