The Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Jersey was vandalized overnight, with glass shattered on the floor, televisions, printers, and artwork damaged, including Quranic verses. The vandalism was caught on video and shared online by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CILRU officials believe the act was fueled by Islamophobia and was a hate crime targeting the Muslim population at Rutgers. A Palestinian flag was also ripped from a pole during the incident which was discovered between Tuesday night and early Wednesday by the Rutgers Police Department. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed disgust at the incident, stating that Islamophobia has no place in New Jersey. The Governor assured that a criminal investigation was underway to ensure the safety of Muslim students at Rutgers. Similarly, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin condemned the incident, emphasizing that acts of hate against the Muslim community will not be tolerated. Platkin announced that his office was working with various law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and protect the diversity of the state.
The vandalism at the Rutgers Islamic Center came on the heels of anti-Israel agitators interrupting a town hall at the university, leading President Jonathan Holloway to end the session early. Jewish students had to be escorted out of the event by police, which was hosted by the Rutgers University Student Assembly and included referendums on boycotting Tel Aviv University and divesting from anything connected to Israel. The incident marked a difficult time for Jewish students at Rutgers, with one student expressing shock at the unexpected protest during the town hall without any disruptive behavior from Jewish attendees.
The Rutgers Police Department has not released any description of suspects connected to the vandalism at the Islamic Center on campus. However, the incident has sparked outrage among state officials, including Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin, who are working to ensure the safety and protection of Muslim and diverse communities in New Jersey. The incident is part of a larger issue of rising hate crimes and discrimination against minority groups, including the Muslim community, and highlights the importance of addressing and combating Islamophobia and other forms of hatred and prejudice in society. The university community must come together to promote tolerance, diversity, and understanding to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff.
