Leaders condemn anti-Islamic vandalism at Long Island mosque construction site

Elected officials and Islamic leaders on Long Island gathered Monday to condemn an act of hate that took place over the weekend.

A banner in front of the construction site for the Islamic Center of Mastic-Shirley, located at 516 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, was defaced sometime between Friday night and Saturday. When completed, it will be Long Island's second-largest mosque.

Officials said they intend to track down the vandals, adding, while we have free speech and religious freedom in our country, vandalizing a construction site of a religious institution is a hate crime.

"There is no place for Islamophobia, hate, or intimidation on Long Island. An attack on a mosque is not only an attack on Muslims; it is an attack on the values of every community that believes people should be able to worship without fear," leaders of the mosque posted on social media. "We strongly condemn this act of hate and stand in solidarity with the Islamic Center of Mastic-Shirley and its community. Hate will never be stronger than our unity. We will continue to build, continue to worship, and continue to stand together."

"The graffiti at the construction site of the future Islamic Center of Mastic is a vile, disturbing display of hate. Grateful to the Suffolk County Police for leading this investigation. Islamophobia has no place in New York -- and it never will," Gov. Kathy Hochul posted on social media.

Mosque leaders said the hatred stems from ignorance. The 30,000-square-foot building, which includes an NBA-sized basketball court, will be available to the entire community, they said.

"We want every kid who grows up in this community -- Muslim, Christian, Jewish, whatever -- you are going to come here and compete and become like a Jalen Brunson basketball player. That's our wish," Imam Mehdad Islam said.

Police have been canvassing the area for surveillance video, and they're offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-220-TIPS.

Police will also be meeting with the leaders of the mosque to increase security.

"They are to be respected and acknowledged as we would any religious practice. And we had some people that decided to vandalize the sign, and that's unacceptable. That type of religious hate is not going to be tolerated," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.

Officials say ignorance leads to hate crimes and a misunderstanding of Islam persists.

"I see it on local social media. People are far too okay with just being hateful in their own name. Come and learn who your neighbors are," Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico said.

"I think people are misunderstanding it. Oftentimes, it's easier for hate to perpetuate a community than peace and love," said Hassan Ahmed, of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Anti-Bias Council.

"They may have vandalized our construction site, the sign with hateful words, but they will never vandalize our spirit or faith and our future," Imam Islam said.

Leaders said they're planning a series of open houses to invite the public to get to know them in the fall in order to increase understanding.

The mosque is expected to take two more years to build.