The Mosque Rage Boils Over: Anti-Muslim Attacks Increasing Across US

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Lucas Jackson / Reuters

As protests in downtown Manhattan over the “Ground Zero” Mosque have escalated, violent incidents involving Muslims have increased. Forget simmering debate; this is closer to a full boil.

Last night, a drunk man barged into a Queens mosque and shouted anti-Muslim slurs at the congregation during the nightly Tarawee prayers. He then proceeded to urinate on the prayer rugs and gave congregants the finger. Two men managed to subdue him and call 911.

The incident, which occurred at the Iman Mosque on Steinway Street in Astoria, is the latest in anti-Muslim incidents that are being reported across the US.

Faiza N. Ali, community affairs director for CAIR-NY (Council of American Islamic Relations) told NewsFeed that “The constant vilification of Islam and its adherents over the air on talk radio and peddled by some politicians is contributing to the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment across the country.”  The recent attacks, she says, are a “manifestation of hate and fear-mongering.”

On Tuesday, the same night a NYC cabbie was stabbed, a mosque in Madera, CA was vandalized with a sign reading ‘Wake up America, the enemy is here.’

During the month of Ramadan, which ends on September 10, Muslims gather daily to pray together for the nightly Tarawee prayers after breaking their fast.

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