CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Hate Vandalism at Queens Church
(NEW YORK, NY, 4/9/2025) – 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 strongly condemned the vandalism and desecration of a church in Astoria, Queens on Sunday.
SEE: Suspect smashes religious statue, spits into Holy Water at Astoria church: NYPD
SEE: Hate Crime Investigation Launched After Baby Jesus Statue Smashed at Astoria Church
On Sunday, April 6, the suspect entered the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Queens where he told Reverend Hughes to “die” as he was greeting individuals attending Sunday service. He then proceeded to smash a Child of Jesus statue near the altar rail. A few days earlier, on April 1st, the same individual was seen spitting into the Holy Water font. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is currently investigating.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq. said:
“We strongly reject acts of hatred toward any religious group. All communities deserve to peacefully come together and worship. We urge law enforcement to investigate and take actions that protect houses of worship and their respective communities.”
Nasher urged faith leaders to use advice offered in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
She added that anyone with information about the attack should immediately contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477, or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782. Tips can also be sent to the NYPDTips.
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, CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com
Communications Team, CAIR-NY, comms@ny.cair.com