Brooklyn mosque vandalised with torn Qur’an pages and faeces

Elham Asaad Buaras

A mosque in New York City has been subjected to a disturbing act of vandalism, with torn pages of the Qur’an and human waste left at the site, in what police are investigating as a suspected hate crime. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 9 at the Islamic Mission of America, also known as Masjid Dawood, in Brooklyn.

According to law enforcement officials, a man approached the mosque at around 4:30am and allegedly scattered pages torn from the Islamic holy book across the front steps. He is then said to have returned moments later and smeared what authorities described as faeces on the building’s front door.

Disturbing surveillance footage captured the suspect wearing a red tracksuit, a black skullcap or beanie, and a black face mask, which had slipped below his chin. He was also carrying a black plastic bag. The man has not yet been identified and remains at large.

Police in New York City have confirmed the case is being treated as a hate crime and investigations are ongoing.

The attack has drawn strong condemnation from Muslim civil rights groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its New York chapter.

Afaf Nasher, executive director of CAIR-NY, said the act was a ‘deeply disturbing’ example of religious hatred.

“This reported act of attempted desecration is deeply disturbing and reflects a blatant act of hate targeting a house of worship,” she said.

“We commend law enforcement authorities for investigating this incident as a hate crime and urge a swift and thorough investigation to hold the perpetrator accountable. No community should have to fear harassment or attack because of their religious beliefs.

“We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the civil rights and dignity of all people. Acts of hate have no place in our society, and we must collectively reject and confront bigotry in all its forms.”

CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights organisation in the US, warned that the incident highlights growing concerns over anti-Muslim hostility nationwide.

The group pointed to its latest civil rights findings, which it says show a continued rise in Islamophobic incidents across the country, affecting communities in multiple states.

The Brooklyn attack comes just days after authorities reportedly foiled a separate alleged plot targeting a Muslim figure in New York, raising further alarm among community leaders.

Despite the severity of the incident, it has so far received limited attention from major national and international media outlets.

No arrests have yet been made, and police are continuing their investigation as calls grow for those responsible to be swiftly identified and brought to justice.