Fiery Speech At Clarkstown Mosque Sparks Response From Officials

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Local police have reviewed a sermon given at a local mosque Aug. 9 and determined there is no known or credible threat to the residents of Clarkstown or Rockland County, according to Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann who categorized it as "extreme language towards the Jewish community."

"This extreme and hateful rhetoric is unacceptable and has no place here in Clarkstown," Hoehmann said in a statement.

He added, "As Supervisor I have had the opportunity to work on interfaith dialogue many times with members of the mosque and find this extreme rhetoric is not representative of the vast majority of the people at the Islamic Center of Rockland County."

The comments at the mosque in Valley Cottage were made by an imam in a Friday sermon, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute's website MEMRI TV.

Among other things he prayed for Hamas, saying Israel, the United States, Germany, and England cannot defeat them because they have faith. "Guide their shooting, oh Lord of the Universe, Oh Allah destroy the Zionist Jews, Oh Allah, seize them with a crushing grip, oh Lord of the Universe." It's not racism, he said, because Allah told them 'The Jews and Christians will not accept you until you follow their religions.'

MEMRI TV said the sermon was streamed live on the Center's YouTube channel. As of Monday morning, that channel has no content.

Just to be cautious, the Clarkstown Police Department has stepped up patrols around all houses of worship and culturally significant places, Hoehmann said. The Clarkstown Police Department formed a Cultural and Religious Security Unit (CaReS) in 2020.

"The Clarkstown Police Department is the only police department in the county that operates a unit dedicated to the protection of these institutions," he said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler released a statement about the video.

"I am deeply disturbed by the violent, antisemitic remarks espoused by a speaker at the Islamic Center of Rockland. I have visited the Center and have never encountered hostility or hatred towards anyone, but this rhetoric is shocking and deeply concerning,” said Lawler, who is running for a second term in the 17th Congressional District.

“It is my sincere hope that the members of the Islamic Center of Rockland and its leadership will clearly speak out against this disturbing, violent, and antisemitic rhetoric, and that we can use this hateful incident as a bridge towards further dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between our diverse faith communities,” continued Lawler. “There are ways to express concern over ongoing conflicts across the globe without resorting to calls for the extermination of Jews or any other population. I am hopeful that this sad chapter will serve as a lesson and an opportunity for growth for both Rockland County and the Hudson Valley.”