Threats and Acts of Vandalism against Mosques Double So Far in 2017 in the US: Report
Numbers obtained from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) showed that there have been 32 reported anti-mosque incidents as of mid-March 2017, compared with 16 this time last year.
Of the 2017 number, 11 of those were either arson or vandalism, and 19 were threats of violence. Muslim leaders and advocacy groups have expressed strong concerns about a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric from political leaders and also in anti-Muslim violence, which has risen to post 9/11 levels, The Independent reported.
One of the most recent alleged hate crimes was in Tucson, Arizona, where an intruder entered a mosque, ripped up copies of the Quran and scattered the pages around the place of worship.
Another alleged hate crime this year was in Michigan, where law enforcement was called upon to investigate a mosque fire in Pittsfield Township as a possible act of arson.
In Texas, Muslim leaders welcomed the arrest of a man who was suspected of setting fire to the Islamic Centre of Victoria.
"The sharp increase
in threats and violence targeting Muslim places of faith and worship is
alarming and reflects the empowerment of hate in the last few months. Any
religious institution, whether it be a mosque, church, synagogue, or temple,
should be a place safe from fear and danger,” said Zainab Arain, coordinator,
department to monitor and combat Islamophobia at CAIR.
Source: Islamic News
