As Ramadan came to end and the community was waiting for news about the sighting of the moon of Shawwal, the Manassas Muslim Association (MMA) in the 9500 block of Euclid Avenue celebrated completing one year in their new masjid. On July 17, 2015, a strange noise was heard and the building started heated up. Worshippers at the MMA came out to see copper wiring from the AC unit cut and the coolant drained.
A similar incident had taken place earlier in the week. Manassas police called after the first incident on Monday morning, were called again. Police officers found two of the three air conditioning units were damaged.
A technician in the congregation got the AC units up and running, saving the one year old masjid some much needed funds. Installing the cameras which they bought 6 months ago but didnt install and new lights will cost up to $20,000. Baig hopes some of the tech savvy and handy members of the community will take care of the installation. The masjid runs on donations.
As news from Chattanooga, TN made waves and the man responsible for the murder of four marines at a military site was identified as a Muslim,, the members of MMA faced what they believe is backlash.
“We live in strange times. Someone is trying to send us a message,” says Baig. He struggles with the thought that his community is paying for the crime of a troubled man hundreds of miles away.
“There are 40-50 children who come to study the Quran here after school. It is a big concern for us,” says Baig, speaking on behalf of the board members responsible for the MMA.
The local news stations covered the story and Baig’s non Muslim neighbors sent him a card with a basket of candy, shocked that something like this had happened in their area.
He says that we can not let five bad apples define humanity otherwise we put an end to humanity. “One of the reasons we didn't install cameras is because we didn't believe a violent crime could happen in our community. I have lived here for 15 years,” says Muneer Baig President of Manassas Muslim Association.
The Manassas Police Department offers a free security assessment, which MMA has made use of. They pointed out several other things that need to be addressed,, says Baig.
Officials say the masjid has been targeted in the past "by people driving by and shouting slurs like 'go back home.'"
CAIR has asked for an investigation. "Because of the effort required to sever the air conditioning lines, the history of previous incidents targeting the mosque and the rise in anti-Muslim incidents nationwide, we believe it is essential that law enforcement authorities investigate a possible bias motive for this vandalism," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper in a statement.
When asked if the administration would be reviewing the masjid’s open door policy, he said that “we have to make it open”. “People come to the masjid to unwind, it is a sanctuary to connect with a Supreme Power,” says Baig. The masjid has not held an open house as yet and this has now become a priority.
The masjid will pray , install cameras and move on. “Most places that were attacked had cameras, they won't stop them. The only way out of this is helping each other and understanding each other—and lots of prayer ,” he says.
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