BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — The New York Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force has released surveillance images of a man who allegedly threw pages torn from the Quran, Islam’s holy text, onto the steps of the Islamic Mission of America in Brooklyn Heights, also known as the Daoud Mosque (alternately spelled Dawood Mosque) — and then returned shortly thereafter and smeared what police called “an unknown substance” on the door.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations identified the substance as feces.
Police released this surveillance photo of a man suspected of committing a hate crime at a Brooklyn Heights mosque. Photo: NYPD
Police say the incident took place on March 9 around 4:30 a.m. in front of the mosque, located in a three-story brownstone on State Street near Clinton Street. Photos released by the police show the man carrying a black plastic bag in his hand.
He is described as having a medium complexion and partial facial hair, and was last seen wearing a black skullcap, black face mask worn below his chin, red sweatshirt, red sweatpants, and white and black sneakers. He was last seen fleeing on foot eastbound on State Street, police said.
“This reported act of attempted desecration is deeply disturbing and reflects a blatant act of hate targeting a house of worship,” CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said in a statement Sunday.
The historic Daoud Mosque (also spelled Dawood Mosque) in Brooklyn Heights. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle
“We commend law enforcement authorities for investigating this incident as a hate crime and urge a swift and thorough investigation to hold the perpetrator accountable. No community should have to fear harassment or attack because of their religious beliefs,” he added.
The Brooklyn Eagle reached out to the mosque on Monday but did not hear back by press time.
The historic Daoud Mosque is named after its founder, Sheikh Daoud Al Faisal. It dates back to the 1920s or early 1930s, according to the mosque’s website. The mosque has always been welcomed by the quiet surrounding community.
In related news, a New Jersey man who planned to firebomb the home of a prominent Palestinian activist, Bay Ridge native Nerdeen Kiswani, was arrested Thursday following a NYPD undercover operation, the Eagle reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org