Update: Virginia Mosque Vandalized

September 19, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

On September 19, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "local Muslim leaders said that weekend vandalism in which racial obscenities and swastikas were spray-painted on a wall of a new mosque in Sterling [Virginia] would not delay its opening in October. Adams Center leaders had increased security at the nearly completed mosque... around Sept. 11[2002]... [but] when nothing had happened by Friday, they relaxed security measures. On Sept. 11, 2001, vandals spray-painted violent messages on walls, carpets and doors of another space that the Adams Center used at Community Plaza shopping center in Sterling. The center's director also received a call the next morning from someone threatening Muslims."