France: Racist graffiti on French mosque for 6th time
— SAPA/AP reports: “Paris – France’s main Muslim group says a mosque has been defaced with racist graffiti in the sixth such incident this year.”
— “The head of the French Council of the Muslim Faith says racist words were painted over the weekend on the walls of the mosque in Sorgues, in the picturesque Vaucluse region.”
Category: Islamophobia
reports on those who seek to deny freedom of religion to Muslims
Tennessee: Vandalism Against Mosque
The Tennessean reports on vandalism of a Tennessee mosque, the Al-Farooq Mosque, with crosses and the message “Muslims go home” spray-painted on the exterior of the building.
On February 10, 2010, the Tennessean reported:
— “State, local and federal officials are investigating vandalism discovered this morning at the Al-Farooq Mosque on 4th Avenue South.”
— “The words ‘Muslim go home’ and several crosses were spray-painted in red on the exterior of the building, and an expletive and hate-speech filled note was left at the youth center, according to a board member of the mosque.”
— “‘It was an unexpected thing,’ said Salaad Nur. ‘It kind of shook us.'”
— “Brooks was unsure if there was any physical evidence that might help them solve the crime.”
On February 11, 2010, the Tennessean reported:
— “an expletive and hate-speech filled note was left at the youth center, according to a board member of the mosque”
— “Metro Police Sgt. Brooks Harris of the Specialized Investigations Division said his department will investigate because of the obvious sign that the vandalism could be classified as a hate crime. He said he notified the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as well as the FBI, to see if federal laws were violated and look for potential similarities with vandalism late last year at a mosque site in Murfreesboro.”
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We reject and deplore such vandalism at any houses of worship. We reject those who would promote hatred and fear through “Islamophobia.”
We support our unqualified, universal human rights for all. We urge supporters of ideologies of hate to drop the burden of the hate from their hearts, and to rejoin the family of humanity in support of our universal human rights.
Choose love, not hate.
UK: Man arrested following vandalism of Muslim graves
— “Police investigating the vandalism of Muslim graves in south Manchester have made an arrest. ”
— “A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and has been bailed until 11 March 2010 pending further inquiries. ”
— “Officers are investigating three incidents at Southern Cemetery in October and November 2009, when several headstones were pushed over and vandalised.”
— “Inquiries are ongoing, and police are continuing to appeal for information.”
— “Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 0161 856 6151 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Houston: Teenage Muslim Boy Beaten, Called “Terrorist”
FOX 26 News reports on a thirteen year old Muslim boy. Abdul Hamed, who was beaten at a Junior High School and called “terrorist.”
— FOX 26 states: “It happened Tuesday at Beckendorff Junior High School. Abdul Hamed’s father says his son’s jaw and tooth were broken after getting into a fight with a classmate.”
— “The school district issued a statement to FOX 26 News stating both students were minorities in this case, and they both called each other racial and ethnic slurs.”
West Bank: 2 West Bank mosque arson suspects released to house arrest
West Bank: 2 West Bank mosque arson suspects released to house arrest
— Jerusalem Post reports: “Two men arrested earlier this month in connection with the arson attack on a mosque in the West Bank village of Yassuf were released to house arrest for a duration of 60 days by a Petah Tikva magistrate on Sunday.”
— “The suspects, Zvi Succot and Shlomo Gilbert, have been banned from contacting others, and have had a no-exit ban imposed on them.”
Al Qaeda, Pakistan ISI blamed for Quran burning
Al Qaeda, Pakistan ISI blamed for Quran burning
— CNN: “The Afghan government is blaming Pakistani intelligence agents and al Qaeda for burned Qurans found in Helmand Province last week”
Malaysia: Pig heads left at Malaysia mosques after Allah row
UK: Graffiti attack on Stoke mosque ahead of race rally
UK: Graffiti attack on Stoke mosque ahead of race rally
— BBC: “A mosque in Stoke-on-Trent was sprayed with graffiti referring to the upcoming English Defence League rally.”
— “An English Defence League rally in Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday resulted in three people being charged with race offences.”
Sweden: Neo-Nazi gets involved with anti-Islam party
California: Vandalism, Hate Mail, and Burning of Qur’an in Costa Mesa
Los Angeles Times reports: “O.C. Islamic Educational Center a target of anti-Muslim acts”
— “Costa Mesa police have stepped up patrols near the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, the target of recent anti-Islamic acts including vandalism, hate mail and the burning of two copies of the Koran.:
— LA Times also reports that “Vandals also recently defaced part of an outdoor interfaith holiday display in Mission Viejo”
— “A burned and torn copy of the Koran was found in the parking lot at the educational center, on Airport Loop Drive, during Friday prayers. It was the second time in a month that a desecrated Koran had been found there, according to a statement on the Costa Mesa mosque’s website.”
— “Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Ed Everett said that his department has increased patrols in the area but that no arrests have been made.”
— “In the Mission Viejo incident, vandals defaced the Islamic portion of the holiday display but left nearby Christian components untouched. They painted over a verse from the Koran and left behind a piece of paper reading ‘No Islamic Lighthouses in the U.S.A.’ ”
— “Syeda said the vandalism of the display, at La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive, was reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which provides police services to Mission Viejo. Investigators could not be reached Saturday.”
— “Syeda and other Muslims said they hope the incidents prompt public disavowals of such behavior.”
Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, Costa Mesa, California Statement:
— “IECOC STATEMENT: HOLY QURAN FOUND DESECRATED OUTSIDE IECOC”
— “On January 1st, 2010, a torched and mutilated Quran was found at the back entrance of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County (IECOC) during the Friday (Jumah) Prayer.”
— “The Holy Quran was found lying open, burned, and torn in the back parking lot at the IECOC by a member coming for Friday prayers.”
— “This deplorable incident is a form of anti-Islamic assault, hate-crime, and terror campaign against American Muslims. Even more, it is a great offence against 1.2 billion Muslim followers worldwide because it defiles their holiest and most sacred divine book.”
— “The IECOC calls upon conscious people, including all faiths, to condemn this despicable act and to raise the banner of tolerance and peaceful coexistence amongst all American citizens.”
— “Currently, the Costa Mesa Police Department (in California) is conducting their investigation. Still, we call upon concerned citizens to take an active role by showing their concern and to demand local and state officials to conduct a quick investigation and to bring the evil perpetrators to justice of this shameful and terrorizing act.”
— “Unfortunately, this is not the first religious attack at IECOC. Another incident occurred in which the mosque was vandalized and several threatening anti-Islamism letters have been received in recent months.”
