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Islamic School Is Riddled With Bullets In SW Dade

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Jan 2, 2009 11:49 pm US/Eastern

Islamic School Is Riddled With Bullets In SW Dade

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Reporting
Carey Codd
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THE HAMMOCKS (CBS4) ― Vandals sprayed bullets into the side of a new mosque under construction in Southwest Miami-Dade. This is not the first time the Islamic School of Miami has been targeted but members say this is the most violent attack yet.

"Definitely someone is trying to send a message," said Mohammad Farouk, "but I will emphasize again that we are a peaceful community. We are good neighbors."

Farouk said a member of the mosque noticed the bullets in the side of the mosque and in the windows on Friday afternoon. The community believes someone fired on the building between New Year's Eve and Friday.

Fortunately, the building is not occupied so no one was inside at the time of the shooting.

The bullets pierced the second story wall and left holes in windows.

But members say the community will not be deterred.

"If they are trying to shut this community up, I think they are wrong," Farouk said.

Many are wondering if the shooting was motivated by the rising violence in the Middle East. Altaf Ali, from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in the past he has seen anti-Islamic incidents in the United States whenever there is an outbreak of violence in the Middle East.

Ali said the bullet holes in the side of the mosque are symbols of intolerance and ignorance.

"Any time a house of worship is desecrated and vandalized and attacked in such a manner then it should concern anyone of conscience," Ali said.

Miami-Dade police are investigating. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

The Muslim community is offering a reward of up to $5-thousand dollars for information that leads to an arrest or conviction.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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