Florida: Vandalism at Islamic Center Sparks Condemnation, Calls for Investigation

IQNA – A mosque in Florida has been vandalized, sparking condemnation by the local community who urge authorities to launch an investigation.

During the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 4, unidentified individuals shattered windows at the Islamic Community Center in Gainesville, leaving the sacred space covered in broken glass.

In a joint statement released Friday, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida) and the Islamic Community Center of Gainesville (ICCG) expressed strong condemnation for the recent act of vandalism targeted at the Islamic Center. The organizations are urging law enforcement authorities to treat the incident as a potential hate crime and are calling on the Muslim community to enhance security measures.

CAIR-Florida and the ICCG are calling for a thorough investigation by the Gainesville Police and the Alachua County Sheriff Office to determine the possible bias motive behind this act of vandalism.

CAIR-Florida, the state's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is advising local Muslim communities and Islamic institutions to adopt additional security measures.

Omar Saleh, an attorney representing CAIR-Florida, emphasized the rising trend of hate-driven attacks on places of worship across the nation. Saleh stated, “Now more than ever, places of worship are being targeted by people acting out of hate. Across the nation, we are hearing of incidents ranging from mosque vandalism less than 24 hours ago to the murder of an Imam in New Jersey 72 hours ago.”

Saleh continued, stressing the expectation for law enforcement to ensure the protection of all faiths and places of worship equally within the Florida Muslim community.

The ICCG's Board echoed these concerns, stating, “We urge the City of Gainesville’s leaders to take immediate and decisive steps to ensure the safety and security of the Muslim minority in our city. This incident is not just an attack on a building but on the values of diversity and tolerance. We request enhanced protection and vigilance to prevent such hateful actions.”

A recent data released by CAIR revealed a significant increase in complaints related to anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias.

As the investigation unfolds, the Muslim community in Gainesville remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for solidarity and protection against acts of hatred targeting religious institutions.

Source: Agencies