Austin mosque heightening security after vandalism

The local Muslim community in Austin, US state of Texas, is reeling after a vandal, or vandals, caused thousands of dollars in damages to their mosque.

The local Muslim community in Austin, US state of Texas, is reeling after a vandal, or vandals, caused thousands of dollars in damages to their mosque.

Some members of the North Austin Muslim Community Center may be in shock, but they are finding ways to make it work for them. 

“It’s a sense of breaking the peace that you have in your heart. You’re coming into a place where you want to find peace, but then you see this in front of you, and that feelings of finding peace was shattered for a moment or so,” said vice president Adnan Suleiman. 

The Austin Police Department said officers responded to a call at 1:30 a.m. Sunday at the North Austin Muslim Community Center. Someone shattered the glass doors and windows of the main hall. A car’s tires were also slashed.  The doors to the center are now boarded up. 

“The psychological effect of that is much bigger, you know. You would feel a loss of sense of security. You don’t have that, sense of security anymore. Someone could come in shatter the doors go inside and do whatever,” said Suleiman.

The organization has been in Austin for 25 years and Suleiman said this was the first time property was damaged. “It’s sort of a disbelief at first, but then given the political environment around us,” he said. 

There is now going to be armed security overnight and plans for high resolution surveillance cameras and more lighting. Besides vigilance, members are being asked to look for opportunities to build relationships with the community.