Update: La Mirada Mosque Vandalism Not Believed to Be Hate Crime

August 13, 2006

Source: Monterey Herald

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/15264794.htm

On August 13, 2006 the Monterey Herald reported, "Two large windows of a mosque were shot out with a BB gun, but authorities don't believe the vandalism was directed at Muslims.

The attack on the storefront mosque on Imperial Highway happened late Thursday, said Los Angeles Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Doyle.

Police said the incident may be connected to a handful of BB gun shootings in the La Mirada area late Thursday. Islamic leaders were not convinced, claiming that pictures of minarets on the windows were targeted.

'We urge the FBI and other law enforcement agencies working on the case to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime' said Hussam Ayloush, director of the Southern California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations."