Manassas Mosque Vandalized, FBI Asked to Investigate

The nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group is calling for an investigation into a possible hate crime after vandals spray-painted a Manassas mosque and kicked in a glass door early Tuesday morning.

The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said eight windows and a door of the mosque was vandalized early Tuesday morning with scribbles and obscenities. A security guard found the damage early that morning on every window and door on the mosque’s exterior as well as a sign calling for peace.

“Whenever a house of worship is targeted by vandals, the possibility of a bias motive must be investigated by law enforcement authorities,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

The mosque was vandalized three years ago among tensions in the United States regarding violence in the Middle East, the Washington Post reports. Abu Nahidian, the imam at Manassas Mosque, estimates replacing the door and removing the vandalism will cost about $100, according to the Washington Post.

CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy, aims to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue and protect civil liberties. The Manassas mosque welcomes 200 visitors each Friday and celebrates its 20-year anniversary this month.