A rental vehicle driven by a group of young Muslim men – at least two of whom live in Redmond – was the target of racist graffiti during a recent vacation near Lake Chelan.

According to a news release from the Council on American-Islam Relations (CAIR), the vehicle was scrawled with racist phrases including “Sand N**gers” and “Doon Coons.” The vandals also left several physical scratches on the car.

CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari said all of the eight individuals are college students and friends and that most attend services at the MAPS center in Redmond. Some of those who were targeted attend Bellevue College and UW.

The Muslims believe they may have been targeted because of a group prayer they offered in a public area while one of the vacationers was wearing a head covering called a kufi.

Redmond Patch, 6 September 2012

Update:  See “Group calls for action following vandalism of local Muslims’ car”, Redmond Patch, 7 September 2012