Hateful Message in Delaware Mosque Sparks Investigation

WASHINGTON, DC (IQNA) – Congregants of the Khair Community Center mosque in Upper Providence were met with a distressing sight on Friday morning as they arrived at their place of worship.

A message laden with hate had been inscribed on one of the entrance doors, prompting immediate concern among the mosque's members.

Ahmed Bakran, a center's board of directors, expressed the unease that had already permeated the community due to the prevailing global climate.

"There was already fear within the community just with the general atmosphere of what's going on in the world," Bakran said.

Surveillance footage from the center reveals an individual approaching the entrance door, retrieving a marker from their pocket, and proceeding to deface the glass with the offensive message, CBS News reported.

Bakran emphasized that the Khair Community Center stands for principles of peace, safety, security, and the vibrant coexistence of diverse cultures within the community.

He highlighted the significance of the name "Khair," which translates to 'good' or 'well' in Arabic, contrasting starkly with the derogatory message imprinted by the person captured in the video.

The Upper Providence Police Department has initiated an investigation into the incident.

In a statement provided to CBS News Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations unequivocally condemned the "hateful act."

The organization decried the increasing prevalence of such vile attacks and rhetoric, lamenting that they have become all too common.

Bakran resolved that no message of hate would deter the Khair Community Center from pursuing its mission of goodwill and its integral role in the community they hold dear. "We're gonna stand strong," he affirmed. "We are going to be resilient, and we are not going to be intimidated by anyone."

Community leaders have unanimously denounced this act of hatred and plan to convene on Saturday to call for solidarity within the community, reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect.

There has been a significant increase in Islamophobic incidents across the United States since the start of the war between Palestinian resistance Hamas and the Israeli regime.

Israeli strikes against Gaza Strip has killed over 9,200 people, mostly women and children, since October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise operation against Israeli-occupied territories that, according to Israeli authrities, killed 1,400 Israeli soldiers and settlers. 

Source: Agencies