Islamic center in Maryland hit by hate crime

An Islamic community center in Riverview was vandalized in an act that Baltimore County police have classified as a hate crime.

According to police, between 7:30 p.m. on April 20 and noon the following day, someone tossed a rock through a rear window of the Bab E Mustafa Community Center on the 4300 block of Hollins Ferry Road. No other businesses or buildings were damaged in the incident, police said.

The community center includes a mosque where daily prayers are held, as well as a child care center. According to former Imam Raja Khan, the community center has been located in Riverview for more than two years and primarily serves Muslims of Indian and Pakistani origin.

Members of the community center report being routinely taunted by juveniles in the neighborhood, according to police.

Arbutus Patch, 25 April 2012

See also “FBI asked to investigate possible Islamic center hate crime”, Arbutus Patch, 26 April 2012

And CAIR press release, 26 April 2012