A recent act of vandalism in Kent at the Islamic Center of Federal Way has caused concerns about a potential hate crime against the Muslim community.
A center security video of the incident shows a man twice throwing objects at the mosque and breaking windows before speeding off in a pickup just after midnight on Saturday, Dec. 28. The Islamic Center is at 3304 S. 272nd St., near the corner of Military Road and South 272nd Street, in the city of Kent but near the city of Federal Way border.
“We call on local, state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for this attack, as the brazen acts depicted in the video are highly disturbing,” said Imraan , executive director of the Seattle-based Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), in a Dec. 30 email. “It is very concerning to see a house of worship targeted by violence.”
Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said officers are trying to identify the suspect.
“From the video we received, it appears to be an adult male who drives a pickup truck to leave,” Padilla said in a Dec. 30 email. “The video shows the male throwing something towards the mosque twice and then getting into his truck to leave. We are working to identify the suspect, but the quality of the video does not make it clear as to the race of the male suspect.
“We are reviewing the video and will use additional technology to see if we might identify the truck and subsequently the truck owner. If we are successful, we will definitely follow up on that information.”
Padilla said whether it is a hate crime remains to be determined.
“At this point, the information we have would be evidence of the crime of malicious mischief (vandalism),” Padilla said. “Obviously, we are being mindful that this may be a hate crime, but in order to determine whether this was a hate crime, we have to gain evidence as to what the suspect’s motive was.”
Kent City Council President Satwinder Kaur said she stopped at the center to talk to its president and members. She said it is not conclusive from the video why the incident occurred. Kaur released a statement, speaking for herself, not the entire council.
“I am deeply concerned and saddened by the recent act of vandalism at the Islamic Center of Federal Way,” Kaur said. “This senseless act of violence has no place in our community. We must stand united in our commitment to respect, understanding, and the safety of all individuals, regardless of their faith, ethnicity or background.
“I fully support Kent Police Department in their efforts to investigate this incident, and I call on all residents of our community to come together and reaffirm our shared values of compassion, unity and mutual respect. We must ensure that everyone feels safe and valued in our community, and we will work together to hold those responsible accountable.”
According to CAIR-WA, this targeted act of vandalism and damage to property comes only a year and a half after the center was broken into and robbed in the summer of 2023.
On July 29, 2023, two men broke into the Islamic Center of Federal Way stealing around $200 to $300, according to the mosque’s treasurer, Atif Nazir, as reported by the Federal Way Mirror. Nazir said the two suspects came in the middle of the day, breaking a window’s lock and hopping in. The suspects then broke open a door and stole money.
During a five-month span in 2021-22, multiple mosques in Washington state were targeted by either hate, vandalism or burglaries, according to CAIR-WA. Earlier in 2023, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.
Padilla said officers who patrol that area have been informed of the incident and are paying extra attention to the potential for repeat acts.
Padilla said depending how the case goes, it could turn into a hate crime.
“We are investigating that potential, but we do not have evidence to confirm that at this time,” Padilla said. “If we do make an arrest and determine this was a hate crime, we will charge it as a hate crime.”
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