WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is urging authorities to investigate the recent vandalism of a new Islamic center in Warren as a possible hate crime.
Members of the community arrived at the Al Ihsaan Islamic Center on Saturday to find several broken windows and a hammer left at the scene.
"Because of increasing hate incidents targeting houses of worship and minority communities nationwide, we urge local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this act of vandalism as a possible hate crime," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "Given the history of tense race relations and anti-Muslim incidents in Warren, it is important that law enforcement investigates this incident with the seriousness that it deserves."
The Warren Police Department did take the report of vandalism but has not mentioned if it would be investigated as a potential hate crime.
The executive director of CAIR-MI also stated there has been opposition to the expansion of Islamic centers in Warren and other locations and says there have been threats against local mosques.
