SHIRLEY, NY — Suffolk County police are investigating anti-Islam graffiti found on a banner at the construction site of the future Islamic Center of Mastic-Shirley as a hate crime.
The Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the vandalism at the William Floyd Parkway site. The graffiti contained an offensive message targeting Islam, according to reports.
The banner was posted at the site of a new mosque and community center currently under construction in Shirley. The Islamic center says the project will include expanded prayer space, community areas and additional facilities.
No arrests have been announced.
The incident prompted condemnation from local officials and Muslim community leaders. Raza Dastgir, co-founder of Muslims of Long Island, said a house of worship should be among the safest places for people to go.
Imam Mehdad Islam, one of the mosque’s leaders, told Newsday that the vandalism would not stop the project.
“We’re not being intimidated,” Islam said. “We’re doing the right thing. We’re going to continue building.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine also condemned the vandalism, saying, “Hate has no home in Suffolk County.”
The graffiti follows another incident reported in Deer Park in April, when anti-Islam vandalism was discovered on multiple stop signs.
The Hate Crimes Unit investigation remains ongoing.
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