NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:New Jersey officials say they are probing hate crime after Islamic center is vandalized at Rutgers

2025-05-08 06:50:41source:Diamond Ridge Financial Academycategory:News

NEW BRUNSWICK,NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center N.J. (AP) — An Islamic center at New Jersey’s Rutgers University was vandalized on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, according to authorities who said they are investigating it as a hate crime.

A building at the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University had its windows shattered, artwork smashed, TVs and printers broken as well as a Palestinian flag destroyed, the group’s chairwoman, Atiya Aftab, said in a statement.

“This reprehensible act, occurring on our sacred day, is undoubtedly fueled by Islamophobia, is clearly a hate crime targeting our Muslim population at Rutgers,” Aftab said.

The Rutgers University Police Department said in a statement it is investigating a burglary, criminal mischief and bias crime that it says happened about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday at the center in New Brunswick. The site was unoccupied when it the incident happened, according to police.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called the incident “appalling” and said his office is working to investigate it along with other officials.

“Let me be clear: New Jersey will not tolerate acts of hate against the Muslim community,” Platkin said in a statement.

The incident comes after Platkin’s office reported a recent spike in bias incidents in the state.

More:News

Recommend

Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning

Federal authorities announced hackers in China have stolen "customer call records data" of an unknow

Protester lights self on fire outside Israeli consulate in Atlanta

A person was in critical condition Friday after lighting themself on fire in an apparent protest out

COVID-19 now increasing again, especially in Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, CDC says

Several key COVID-19 trends that authorities track are now accelerating around the country, the Cent