CAIR-NJ Reiterates Call for Hate Crime After Word ‘Allah’ on Paterson School Sign is Vandalized for Second Time
(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 04/10/2023) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today reiterated its call for a hate crime probe after the word “Allah” on a south Paterson school sign was vandalized for the second time since Friday.
The word “Allah” in Dr. Hani Awadallah’s name on the sign in front of the Dr. Hani Awadallah School in south Paterson was smeared with feces. [NOTE: “Allah” is the Arabic word for “God.”]
The first incident occurred on Friday, April 7, 2023. A suspect has been arrested and remains in police custody.
SEE: Vandalized Sign on 04/10/2023
SEE: CAIR-NJ Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Vandalism of Word ‘Allah’ on Paterson School Sign
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“While we are still learning the facts of the incidents, we have reason to believe that the suspect acted on an anti-Muslim impulse due to his social media postings, in which he posted the defecated sign as well as a desecrated Qur’an.
“In a separate post, the suspect wrote, ‘Palestinians are still misguided! End their own misery there.’
“We condemn the incidents in the strongest terms and continue to call for a hate crime probe.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed, dsayedahmed@cair.com, 551-221-5592
