Islamophobic Flier Draws Ire In Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — An American-Islamic nonprofit group is decrying what it says is an "Islamophobic flier" circulating around the Packanack Lake section of town – apparently targeting a homeowner and his family who have erected a sign on their house that praises God in Arabic.

Dr. Mahmoud Elsanaa and his family erected the Arabic sign on the Lake Drive West house, which they purchased and are renovating. The sign reads, "What God has willed. God bless." The house overlooks Packanack Lake.

An anonymous handwritten letter purportedly written by a neighbor, however, has been distributed around the neighborhood in opposition to the sign. The letter claims that the sign "will affect all of us."

The letter's author encourages people to attend a meeting of the Packanack Lake Board of Directors Wednesday night to discuss the sign. The sign claims that Mayor Chris Vergano will attend the meeting to discuss the "un-American" building. The sign hangs next to an American flag flying on the house.

"To suggest that a sign written in a foreign language is un-American is in itself un-American," James Sues, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement Wednesday. "The fact that the Arabic language posted in public world cause this kind of reaction of symptomatic of the Islamophobia that grips this country today."

Vergano did not respond to a request for comment and no statement about the house was posted on his Facebook page. Councilman Franco Mazzei, who represents the ward Packanack Lake is located, and Councilwoman At Large Jill Sasso also did not respond to requests for comment. Sasso and Mazzei live in the community.

Sues said Vergano joins with the organization in condemning the flier.

"We applaud Mayor Vergano for meeting with members of the Muslim community and taking a stand against bigtory," Sues said in his statement.

Packanack Lake is an unincorporated community consisting of several neighborhoods. The Packanack Lake Community Association collects dues from residents they pay to help manage and upkeep the lake, beaches, and playgrounds. Only members may use the lake, playgrounds, and tennis and golf clubs.

Marilyn Ludwig, the association's manager, said the meeting Wednesday is a semi-annual membership meeting and is not open to the public. Vergano will attend as a guest of the association, something he has done for the 12 years he has been mayor, he said.

The PLCA's by-laws do not allow them to restrict homeowners' "use of their own property," Ludwig said. She declined further comment.

Elsanaa could not be reached for comment. He, his wife, and their three children will live in the house once renovations are complete. They are staying somewhere else until then, said Jose Rosario, the general contractor who is overseeing the renovation work.

Rosario also said people have claimed the house is a mosque.

"It definitely is not a mosque and that sign is right next to an American flag," Rosario said. "It doesn't get more American than that."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com