Suffolk County Executive Romaine vows accountability after mosque construction site vandalism
SHIRLEY, Long Island (WABC) -- Suffolk County police are investigating vandalism at the future site of the Islamic Center of Mastic-Shirley after a hateful message was spray-painted on a banner outside the property.
According to Suffolk County police, the graffiti was discovered Saturday and reported through a 911 call shortly before 4 p.m. Investigators believe the vandalism occurred between 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.
The incident took place at the site of a new mosque under construction in Shirley. Community leaders gathered Monday to condemn the vandalism and pledge support for efforts to identify those responsible.
"Everyone has the right to worship without threats or fear, and we take an incident like this seriously," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
Officials and those involved with the project described the vandalism as a disturbing act of hatred.
"We are going to pursue the people responsible for this and hold them accountable," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. "Because religious intolerance and hate is not going to be accepted in Suffolk County under any circumstances."
Ground was broken at the site about two months ago. The mosque is expected to become Long Island's second-largest Islamic center, according to community leaders.
Volunteers who are helping build the mosque are very upset that someone would do this at the construction site.
"We are a charity-based organization, so every single aspect of this project that we can volunteer for it helps save money and make this a reality for this community," said Mehdad Islam, assistant imam of the Islamic Center of Mastic/Shirley.
Muslim leaders are planning on having open houses at the Islamic center of Mastic/Shirley and welcome the community to attend so people can better understand their faith.
"They may have vandalized our construction site, but they will never vandalize our spirit, our faith and our future," Islam said.
"In spite of everything, there seems to be more supporters than there are opposers to our project and I want to thank all of the people supporting us on social media," said Imam Abdul-Lateef Poulos of the Islamic Center of Mastic/Shirley.
The Suffolk County Police Department's Hate Crimes Unit is investigating.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the vandalism or who has information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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