Police launch hate crime investigation after man smears feces on door of Brooklyn mosque
The NYPD released video of the man wanted in the March 9 incident
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Police have launched a hate crime investigation after someone spread feces onto the door of a historic mosque in Brooklyn, and now cops have released video of the suspect they are looking for.
Steps away from the bustling Atlantic Avenue, nestled on a quiet residential street, is the Daoud Mosque, also known as the Islamic Mission of America. It's nearly a century old and is a beloved place of worship for Muslims in Brooklyn Heights.
"It's not whether if you're Black or you're whites or other nationalities or anything of that sort," said Ahmad Jawwad, who attends the mosque. "It's how much God consciousness you have. And that's what is endorsed in this mosque. And that's why it's very beautiful."
But now the mosque on State Street is also the scene of a disturbing act the NYPD is investigating as a hate crime.
Police shared surveillance video of a man they say is responsible.
Officials say around 430 a.m. on March 9, in the midst of Ramadan, the suspect threw torn pieces of what likely was a Quran at the mosque and then smeared an unknown substance on the door. The New York chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations says it is believed to have been feces.
"It's a repulsive act by an individual who targeted an Islamic house of worship and did really what no one else would imagine," said Afaf Nasher, executive director of NY-CAIR. "Unfortunately, anti-Muslim hate is one of the largest increases that we've ever seen."
According to the NYPD, there have been 25% more reported hate crimes citywide this year compared to the same time period in 2025.
A manager at the nearby Yemeni Café, is very concerned by the rise in religious discrimination.
"it doesn't matter what community got hit by hate, it's still against everyone," said Mahmood Alsubai of Brooklyn Heights. "We would like to see the changes from the top against those things."
As police continue searching for the perpetrator of this disgusting act, mosque-goers turn towards the teachings of the Quran.
"It just goes to show like I guess the ignorance of that individual, right? Because if he actually knew the reality of what Islam stands for, he would never have done that," Jawwad said.
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