Vandalism, Arson at Maryland Houses of Worship: CAIR Calls for Investigation

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Maryland branch, called on US law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for vandalism and arson targeting several churches in the state.

Officials in the state’s Montgomery County said the incident took place at three churches of different denominations a short distance away from each other in Bethesda.

“Because houses of worship were targeted and because of the increase in bias-motivated incidents impacting faith and minority communities, we urge law enforcement authorities to investigate the possibility of a bias motive for these disturbing incidents,” CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said.

She noted that last month, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism and possible arson targeting a Catholic church in Reston, Virginia, as a hate crime.

CAIR’s New York chapter also condemned threatening graffiti that was scrawled on an Upper West Side church’s door.

She added that the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Asian hate, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.

Source: CAIR.com