Christians vandalize Muslim school

LA: KENNER MUSLIM SCHOOL, HOME VANDALIZED - TOPObscenities painted on walls, eggs thrownMary Swerczek, Times-Picayune, 3/7/06http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-13/114171480586020.xmlKenner police are investigating a pair of incidents of vandalism during the weekend that apparently targeted an Islamic school and the nearby home of a Pakistani man."There's no doubt in my mind that there's somebody with a hatred," said Rahman Bhatti, former vice president of the Jefferson Muslim Association.At the Islamic School of Greater New Orleans on Maine Avenue, curse words were spray-painted on the wall and chewing gum was jammed into the front door's lock, said Capt. James Gallagher, Kenner police spokesman.The foul language did not seem to target any specific individual or group, Gallagher said.At the home of Ali Mohammad, Christian vandals threw eggs and condiments on his front door and car, Gallagher said. Both incidents occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning.Mohammad said bacon was also thrown on his car, which Gallagher could not confirm because he said that detail was not in the police report. Mohammad and Bhatti said the pork, which they are prohibited from eating because of their religion, indicates the vandals targeted Muslims."He knows what our religion is," Bhatti said. "We don't eat ham, and they threw ham."Mohammad, who has lived in the United States for 16 years, said he had not reported several other incidents of vandalism that occurred a few months ago after he returned from Houston, where he evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina. But he reported an incident on Jan. 15 when eggs were thrown against his house and fireworks were lit on his front porch, Gallagher said.School officials had reported two egging incidents in August before the storm, Gallagher said.Mohammad said because of the continuing incidents, he is now increasingly alarmed. (MORE)