TUCSON, Ariz. - Tucson police are investigating a complaint that people dumped alcohol on the Islamic Center of Tucson building, as well as cars on the property.
According to Islamic Center of Tucson board member Maria Molina, people standing on the balcony of the nearby Luna Building were responsible.
The Muslim faith bans alcohol, and the attack can be viewed as an anti-Muslim slur. The center is located at 901 E. First Street.
"Alcohol-related incidents are a chronic problem for the Center," Molina wrote in an email. "ICT has suffered from vandalism, has been the target of glass bottles being thrown from neighboring apartment buildings, and congregation members have had their windshields smashed by projectiles thrown from the same apartment balconies. Additionally, children have had racist remarks and obscenities shouted at them, both from intoxicated occupants and pedestrians.Members of the Islamic Center of Tucson are justifiably alarmed. The center is not only a place for peaceful prayer; it is the regular venue for children's classes, activities, and community events. These are frequently held both in and outdoors. With the start of the new school year at the University of Arizona, we are extremely concerned that lack of attention to this situation will result in an escalation of activity. The situation needs to be rectified before someone is hurt. "
Vandals have targeted the center multiple times in the past few years.
