Swastikas and male genitalia etched in sign at new mosque in Midland Park

NE JERSEY: Less than two weeks before the Elzahra Islamic Center planned to welcome the people to an open house at its newly established Islamic training center, its leaders reported the defacement of a sign at its entrance in what police are calling a bias incident.

Imam Moutaz Charaf reported the vandalism to the police department on Memorial Day, May 25, and estimates the damage at about $500. In the meantime, the sign has been altered to eliminate the appearance of the offensive symbols.

According to the police report, Patrolman Mark Berninger and Sgt. Gregory Kasbarian responded and found a swastika and “male genitalia” had been carved into the sign situated at the entrance of the mosque at 218 Irving St.

Police Chief Michael Powderley said the bias incident is being investigated by Detective Sgt. John Gibbons. “It appears this is an isolated incident and the police have not received any other reports of this vandalism occurring in town,” Powderley said in interviews this week.

The mosque’s decision to locate at the 2.8-acre former Han Maum Reformed Church was met by anti-Muslim crowds who packed Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment and Borough Council meetings in 2014 to challenge the zoning certificate and express concerns about traffic and noise services might generate. A resident further appealed the zoning board’s approval of the mosque’s zoning certificate.

Iman Charaf said in an interview that he has experienced “no problems with our neighbors and the community. Yet.”

“We understand this is an unfortunate incident,” said Charaf. “I am sure there are some people who make generalizations against Muslims that are not true.” Charaf said he plans to work with other religious leaders in the community to “clarify some misconceptions.”