California Mosque Vandalized Again

N. CALIF. MOSQUE VANDALIZED FOR 2ND TIME - TOP Police, FBI urged to probe incident as possible bias crime(SANTA CLARA, 6/8/2006) - The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today called on local and national law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism at a Milpitas, Calif., mosque as a possible bias crime.CAIR-SFBA received a report that someone broke into the Dar-us-Salam Mosque sometime prior to the morning of June 3. Mosque members say the intrusion was the second such incident in a month. Damage included a shattered glass wall, a cracked side door and broken donation boxes."Because of the repeated nature of the crimes, we urge that law enforcement authorities investigate possible bias motives for both acts of vandalism," said CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Coordinator Sajidah Wahdy.The first incident of vandalism at the mosque occurred May 16, when morning worshippers discovered the front glass door of the mosque shattered. Another incident of vandalism occurred at a mobile home property owned by Dar-us-Salaam several years ago. The property was sprayed with anti-Muslim graffiti and the teenagers involved were apprehended.Local police, while not finding direct evidence of a bias motive, told CAIR-SFBA they have increased patrols in the area of the mosque."We have visited the mosque yesterday and are working with the Imam and board members to share crime prevention tips," explained Detective Peter Prolo. He said all leads are being investigated and additional monitoring has been set up. "I am taking the matter very seriously."The Milpitas Police department encourages anyone with information about the identity of the person responsible for either crime to contact them at 408-586-2400.CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.