Apr 4, 2006 7:43 pm US/Eastern
Vandalism At Sunrise Mosque Feared A Hate Crime
Daniel Lastra, CBS4.COM
SUNRISE (CBS4 News) ―
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Vandals spray painted the words 'Osama Binleden' outside one of the walls of the Islamic center that is under construction.
CBS4 News
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This electrical box was also torn open and ruined at the construction site.
CBS4 News
Members 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.
Two weeks ago vandals also drew unintelligible graffiti on an exterior wall at the Darul-Uloon Islamic Center in Hollywood.
Members will be having a meeting tonight outside the mosque.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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