(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Iowa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-IA) today called on the FBI to investigate recent vandalism at a mosque in that state as a possible hate crime. An official with the Islamic Society of Clinton County in Clinton, Iowa, told CAIR that vandals threw more than a dozen rocks at the mosque sometime prior to evening prayers on July 23. A police report indicates that the vandalism shattered glass in the facility, resulting in an estimated $350 damage. Authorities are investigating the incident as "criminal mischief." A previous incident of vandalism reportedly targeted the mosque's sign.
"Given the number of rocks thrown at the mosque and the rising level of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society, we urge the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for this incident," said CAIR-IA Executive Director Miriam Amer.
Last week, CAIR called on the FBI to probe a Tennessee road rage incident in which a Muslim mother and son were allegedly targeted with death threats and anti-Muslim slurs by a knife-wielding driver.
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