Mosque vandalized in US, Quran destroyed

olamide oni

November 18, 2015 1:44 PM

Vandals have destroyed a Quran at a Texas mosque

Mosques vandalized after Paris attack

Vandals have destroyed a Quran at a Texas mosque, just as mosques in Florida are receiving threatening phone calls. This occurred in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris last week in which the Islamic State claimed responsibility.

According to reports, a member of the Islamic Center of Pflugerville found a torn up Quran covered in feces Monday.

When police was called to the scene, they found the destroyed Holy Book in front of the mosque entrance.

Center board member Faisal Naeem condemned this act which is suspected to be a hate crime, while also condemning the Paris attacks.

"A few individuals who did what they did, they don't represent 1.6 billion Muslims," Naeem said. "They don't represent me for sure and the Austin Muslim community."

After the vandalism, community members arrived at the Islamic Center of Pflugerville to offer support and donations.

One of those bringing monetary support was 7-year-old Jack Swanson. He brought $20 from his piggy bank.

"This gives me hope because this means that it's not you know one versus the other because two years, 10 years, 50 years — I'll be gone. But my kids and Jack, both Americans, born here are going to grow up together," Naeem said.

The young boy's mother, who is not a muslim, also expressed hope that people would be able to live together peacefully regardless of religious differences.

"We got together our pennies and it came out to 20 bucks so we did what we could," she said. "It doesn't matter what you believe or I believe or he believes or anybody believes. All faith is important. And especially peaceful faith. I mean what happened in Paris is not what's happening in Pflugerville. We should all be here supporting each other."

olamide oni