By Hank Russell
Local elected officials spoke out against what they called an act of hatred that occurred in Shirley over the weekend.
According to the Daily Voice, a 911 call came in on August 15 from someone who reported anti-Muslim graffiti spraypainted “F— Islam” on a banner announcing construction of the new Islamic Center of Mastic-Shirley. A report from Newsday said that the incident happened between 6 a.m. on August 14 and 11 a.m. on August 16. News 12 reported that the Suffolk County Police Department is investigating this incident as a hate crime.
At an August 17 press conference, Commissioner Kevin Catalina urged anyone who saw anything suspicious at the site to report it to the police.
Upon learning of the incident, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine posted on social media, “Hate has no home in Suffolk County. This afternoon, graffiti was discovered at the site of a new Islamic center in Shirley. Police are investigating the incident as a hate matter and are pursuing all leads.”
At the press conference, he reiterated his message. “That type of religious hate is not going to be tolerated in this county,” he said. “We are going to pursue the people responsible and hold them accountable.”
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ New York chapter, said, “Targeting a mosque site with hateful vandalism is an act of intimidation against an entire community. Muslim New Yorkers should be able to establish houses of worship and gather for prayer without fear that their property will be targeted because of their faith.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in on the incident. “The graffiti at the construction site of the future Islamic Center of Mastic is a vile, disturbing display of hate,” she said. “Grateful to the Suffolk County Police for leading this investigation. Islamophobia has no place in New York – and it never will.”
Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), who also serves as the president of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and a member of its National Board of Directors, said he was also disgusted at what happened at the construction site.
“Just months after an instance of anti-Islam vandalism in Deer Park, and all too many others in recent memory, I am again incensed to learn about yet another act of hate against the Muslim community,” Lavine said. “I am deeply concerned about the continual rise in anti-Muslim sentiment on Long Island. Left unchallenged, it will only continue to grow. We must stand together in the face of any act of hate or violence against anyone in our community, as that is our obligation as Americans.”
News 12 also reported that construction began early this summer. According to Newsday, it is completed, it is expected to be one of the largest mosques on Long Island.