IONA in the News
Hate crime probe urged in vandalism of Michigan mosque
A hate crime investigation is being urged following the vandalism and damage of a mosque in Warren, located in southeastern Michigan.
Many are urging an investigation into the vandalism of a mosque in Warren [Screengrab/Facebook- WXYZ-TV Channel 7]
A hate crime investigation is being urged following the vandalism and damage of a mosque in Warren, located in southeastern Michigan.
The incident, which has been reported to the Warren Police Department, took place between Saturday night (6 September) and early Sunday morning last week, at the Islamic Organisation of North America (IONA) Mosque.
The damage includes wall breakage, shattered windows, and graffiti on the floor and on construction equipment for the new section of the mosque that is being built.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war in Gaza, there has been a sharp increase in reported hate crimes and bias incidents in the US.
The Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who carried out the vandalism.
“We call on anyone who witnessed this vandalism or was told about this criminal act to immediately contact the Warren Police Department,” said CAIR-Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid in a public statement.
“There is no valid justification for anyone to vandalise private property, especially a house of worship,” the statement continued.
The mosque, which was the first in Warren, has faced attacks in the past, particularly in its early years when it was established 17 years ago
In recent years, it has become part of the local community. Most of the mosque’s members are South Asian, however, other communities are also represented.
Since last week’s vandalism, the mosque has returned to regular attendance levels but worshippers are continuing to stay vigilant.
“We’re not taking anything for granted,” Walid told The New Arab. “We’re living in a politically divisive environment.”
https://www.newarab.com/news/hate-crime-probe-urged-vandalism-michigan-mosque