Mosque Vandalized My Christians

VANDALS DEFACE MOSQUE UNDER CONSTRUCTION - TOP Sun-Sentinel, 4/5/06http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-c3bdig05apr05,0,3846159.story Police are investigating on Tuesday the defacement this week of a mosque under construction, as members of the local Muslim community called for the matter to be handled as a hate crime.The words "Osama binleden" were discovered spray-painted on a wall Monday morning at the Islamic Center of South Florida, under construction in the 5400 block of Northwest 108th Avenue, according to Sunrise Police spokesman Lt. Robert Voss.A report for criminal mischief was filed Monday evening.The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement calling for both Sunrise police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to pursue the matter as a hate crime, saying the nature of the graffiti indicated a specific bias.Voss said his department had not yet been in contact with the federal agency, as the investigation had just been initiated.

VANDALISM AT SUNRISE MOSQUE FEARED A HATE CRIME - TOP Carey Codd, CBS, 4/4/06http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_094160235.htmlMembers of a Sunrise mosque are asking the public and the FBI to get involved in investigating an act of vandalism on their building this week.Monday, the words 'Osama Binleden' were found spray-painted on one of the Islamic Center of South Florida's walls located at 5457 Northwest 108th Avenue in Sunrise. An electrical box was also found damaged at the site of the building, which is still under construction. Officials believe the vandalism was done sometime overnight and fear this might be a possible hate crime.For this reason the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have become involved and are publicly requesting that federal and local agencies get involved in investigating this as a possible hate crime."The nature of the graffiti in this incident would seem to indicate the possibility of a bias motive," said CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali. "We urge the FBI to assist local law enforcement authorities in resolving this case and assuring the security of Florida Muslims."CAIR is also asking for increased police patrols outside Islamic institutions in South Florida. (MORE)