TORONTO – The headquarters of America’s largest Islamic group, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), in Plainfield, Indiana, has been spray-painted by vandals this weekend, reflecting increasing attacks on US Muslims.
“The recent rise in attacks and acts of bigotry towards Muslims is an indication that anti-Muslim bigotry has gone beyond a phobia, it has become a reality that is disuniting our society and moving away from the morals and values of the nation,” ISNA President Azhar Azeez said in a statement.
Security cameras on the property show three young men did the vandalism.
Few people were in the building for the morning prayers and witnessed the vandals’ vehicle leaving.
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America.
No one was hurt and the vandals did not attempt to enter the building.
ISNA reported the incident to local law enforcement and the FBI as a hate crime.
“The Indianapolis office of the FBI is aware of the incident in Plainfield, Indiana and are in regular contact with local authorities. If in the course of the investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal civil rights violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate,” the FBI said in a statement.
ISNA has also joined Muslims nationwide in mourning the execution style murder of three young men in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Also, in the past week 3 mass shootings were reported in Michigan, Kansas and Washington.
“No effort should be spared to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” ISNA said in a statement.
“ISNA sends its sincere prayers and condolences to the families of all the victims and hopes justice will prevail in all cases.”
The bodies of Mohamedtaha Omar, 23, Adam K. Mekki, 20, and Muhannad A. Tairab, 17, all of Fort Wayne, were found by police inside a home in the 800 block in East Lewis Street on Wednesday.
The coroner’s office said each died of gunshot wounds and ruled their deaths homicides.
Police authorities said that each was shot “multiple” times in an “execution-style” murder, ruling out that the young men were related to gangs.