Suffolk, community leaders rally after hateful graffiti found on mosque being built in Shirley
The graffiti was found Saturday at the site on William Floyd Parkway.
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Suffolk police are still looking for the person or people responsible for the graffiti found at a construction site for a new mosque in Shirley.
"That type of religious hate is not going to be tolerated in this county," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.
"We are putting in a lot of effort physically, financially which we contribute towards this project, so when we saw someone do this, it really hurt our feelings," said Mehdad Islam with the Islaamic Center of Mastic-Shirley.
The graffiti was found Saturday at the site on William Floyd Parkway.
Police say that graffiti, which targets Islam, was on a banner at the site.
"We are going to pursue the people responsible and hold them accountable in every way possible," Romaine said.
Suffolk police will step up patrols at the site and at other houses of worship.
Construction for the mosque just broke ground earlier this summer.
Islamic organizations and volunteers are heartbroken.
"I'm also a full-time volunteer for this construction site, putting in 80 hours a week towards the project," Islam said. "It really hurt my feelings because of the time and effort and spirit we put in towards this project. It was just hurtful."
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Suffolk police.
