DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - CALIFORNIA: SHOTS FIRED AT MOSQUE, FREE SPEECH TO BLAME

Islamic Center attacks take more violent turn
BULLETS PIERCE WINDOWS, RAISING FEAR OF HATE MOTIVE
By Cassandra Braun
San Jose Mercury News

Repeated vandalism at the Islamic Center of the East Bay over the past two years has some local Muslims concerned.

The most recent and violent came last week, when clergy workers arrived at the Antioch center Monday morning to discover that someone had shot up the center on West 18th Street.

Investigators counted seven bullets that had pierced the windows and walls of the mosque.

``This incident is very dire,'' said Mohammad Chaudhry, president of the center. ``People are scared. I'm not sure what to do.''

...

Investigators found no evidence that the center was targeted because of its religion, Lt. John Vanderklugt said.

``There were no messages left,'' he said. ``There were no indications that it was hate related.''
As members gathered for services Friday afternoon, new glass had replaced the windows shattered by bullets.

...

``We're lucky no one was here,'' said Chaudhry, who questions whether the attack was merely a random act of vandalism.

This is the fifth such malicious incident directed at the center in the past two years, he said.
A year ago, someone hurled a brick through the same front window. In September, derogatory voice messages were left on the center's answering machine.

``We ignored the other stuff,'' said Humera Arshad, 24, ``but this time, with bullets, it's very scary. . . The others weren't as violent.''

Chaudhry said that since the center was established in Antioch years ago, members have enjoyed a tolerant and peaceful community. But the increasingly violent nature of the incidents has Chaudhry and others concerned for their safety.

Chaudhry believes the media are partly to blame.

``My fear is that whenever there is a negative story about Muslims on TV, we see something like this,'' Chaudhry said. ``These specials usually show Muslims in a prayer pose and then talk about terrorism. Our praying has become a symbol of terrorism.''


It would be interesting to find out of the location in Fremont California is a 'rough' neighborhood and if it is, why exactly did moslems build that mosque there knowing full well that the neighborhood sucked?!?

Could it be that they wanted to use their "we are victims yet again" to obtain concessions from the infidels?!?!?


Pertinent Links:

1) Islamic Center attacks take more violent turn

2) Islamic Society of East Bay