Chantilly, VA

The Ahmadiyah Muslim Community Mosque in Chantilly, VA, was vandalized overnight between January 29 and 30, 2012, resulting in extensive exterior damage and $60,000 in repair costs. Following the vandalism, CAIR and the ADL called for local and federal law enforcement to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime. Local law enforcement arrested at least one suspect but stated that there was no evidence of a hate crime being committed.

Bryce Bentinck

2012

mosque

Built

The Ahmadiyah Muslim Community Mosque was under construction to serve the Ahmadiyah Muslim population in Chantilly, VA, and the surrounding area. Between 4:30 PM on January 29, 2012, and 8:30 AM on January 30, 2012, the mosque was vandalized. The following morning, construction crew members discovered extensive damage to the building's exterior, along with several empty containers of alcoholic beverages. In response to the incident, various groups and local leaders, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), issued public statements urging federal and local law enforcement to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime.

The majority of the damage resulted from the perpetrators throwing stones and concrete bricks through the custom windows on the first floor, causing an estimated $60,000 in damages. The force of the impact also dislodged chunks of the exterior wall. Additionally, beer cans and other remnants of alcoholic beverages were found at and around the site. It appeared that the perpetrators did not attempt to enter the building. Despite these findings, the Fairfax Police Department reported no evidence suggesting that the act of vandalism constituted a hate crime. Nevertheless, both CAIR and the ADL issued statements advocating for the incident to be investigated as a possible hate crime.

In the week following the incident, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) made the following statement: "The reported vandalism of a mosque in Chantilly, Virginia, is an affront to the American traditions which we hold dear. We must not remain silent when any house of worship is attacked like this on our soil” (Senator Webb Statement on Vandalism of Mosque, 2012, Jan 31). Similarly, Governor Tim Kaine condemned the vandalism, stating, "The act of vandalism that occurred at a mosque in Chantilly, Virginia, is inexcusable. Every American has the right to worship safely and peacefully, and we must take swift and appropriate action against any who threaten that right" (Tim Kaine Statement on Act of Vandalism Against at Chantilly Mosque, 2012, Feb 1).

References

• Senator Webb Statement on Vandalism of Mosque in Chantilly, Virginia. (2012, February 1). Targeted News Service (USA). Available from NewsBank.
• Tim Kaine Statement On Act Of Vandalism At Chantilly Mosque. (2012, February 1). Targeted News Service. Available from Nexix Uni.