Vandalism at ICM Prompts Outpouring of Support

So, after a vandalism incident at ICM on November 1, 2008, it was no surprise that the center was deluged with letters and emails of support from neighboring churches and faith groups.

“We’ve received many letters and also communication from [Montgomery County], from rabbis and priests, the response has definitely been positive,” said Nadeem Ahmad from the ICM Board of Trustees.

The incident was described in an ICM community email: “Around 2 AM on November 1, a individual driving a sedan came inside the ICM property and drove around the Masjid while shooting paint balls at the property walls. The front and side walls were defaced with over 70 paint balls. As we understand, there was a brother present on the property who saw the incident but was unable to take note of the car tags or the description of the individual.”

ICM cameras were unable to capture the license plate of the vehicle. Security cameras are fixed more on the perimeter of the building than on the driveways and property entrances – something the ICM is already working on changing.

“At this point the investigation in still open. We don’t have enough evidence to identify the perpetrators,” said Ahmad. “We informed the neighboring churches soon after the incident so they can protect their properties,” he added.

One silver lining in this incident is it could have been much worse.

“Everything came off by washing, all the paint, and no windows were broken, so it did not cost us much,” explained Ahmad.

A get together is planned soon at the ICM as a gesture of thanks for the outpouring of support from ICM well wishers and neighbors.

Two of the may letters ICM received are below:

“Both personally and on behalf of my congregation, I want to express our
profound sadness on hearing of this disturbing act of hatred against a
fellow community of faith, and express our solidarity with your community
during this difficult time. Please pass these sentiments on to your
congregation, as I hope this is an opportunity that brings us closer
together, rather than an event which creates walls that divide us.

While such an act reminds us of the hatred and bigotry that are sometimes present in our society, this must instead become an opportunity to affirm the love
and respect that is a shared part of our traditions and cultures.

Moreover, my own view is that such acts of prejudice are never justifiable
and, in our community, in which we teach against stereotyping, I do not
regard such an act as even “understandable.” Unfortunately, in American
society, the line between “understandable” and “excusable” becomes all too
hard to distinguish. I am appreciative of the deep soul searching that you
describe among the Muslim community. It is crucial for every healthy
religious community and society, including my own Jewish community. But our
response as a civil society, and as communities of faith, must be to show
openness and acceptance at every turn to all faith communities. Such soul
searching and reaching towards peace can only be done in an atmosphere of
security and acceptance.

This act against your community reminds us that the Jewish and Muslim
communities share a common goal of encouraging a pluralistic and open
society that respects and values all religious traditions, and I hope it is
one that, contrary to the intentions of those who perpetrated it, will draw
us closer together.

Warm regards, and with wishes for peace,

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
Shaare Torah Congregation
Gaithersburg

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Dear Sisters and Brothers at ICM:

Please allow me to extend to you my own sense of sharing your anger, regret and disappointment in the wake of the vandalism against the faithful people of ICM.  On behalf of the County Executive, the Office of Community Partnerships, and the entire Montgomery County government, please know that we support your faith, deeply value your life and ministry among us, and stand with you in this difficult time.

As the pastor of a church that withstood similar acts of violence, hatred and ignorance in 2005, I know first hand the depth of the pain, the anger and resentment, and the frustration that comes as your efforts at holiness and community-building are responded to by the ignorant, senseless acts of a few of the worst our community has to offer.  We took comfort in knowing that God knew all about it, that the community at large decried the hate with us, and that God, through the pain of the situation, was making us stronger and building a stronger, more hopeful community.  I pray that the same comfort would flood each soul in your congregation during this time.

I stand in solidarity with you, and I am available to you in whatever way you need me to be.

May God continue to bless you in all you do, and keep each of you in God’s peace.

Rev. Timothy B. Warner

Community Liaison for the African American and Faith Communities

Montgomery County Executive’s Office of Community Partnerships