CAIR-NY Condemns Vandalism Targeting Queens Church

(NEW YORK, NY, 08/05/26) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned vandalism targeting a Catholic church in Queens, in which a statue of the Virgin Mary was reportedly destroyed. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

SEE: Hate Crimes Task Force investigating fourth act of vandalism targeting Dutch Kills church since 2024: NYPD

[NOTE: Islam’s Prophet Muhammad said: “The best of the world’s women (in her lifetime) is Mary.” An entire chapter of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, is named after her.]

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:

“We condemn this disturbing act of vandalism targeting a house of worship. Every New Yorker deserves to practice their religion free from intimidation, hatred, and violence. We stand in solidarity with the community impacted by this incident and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement authorities.”

She noted that last month, CAIR-NY condemned the vandalism targeting two Queens synagogues.

Nasher said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry. 

CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos. 

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CONTACT:

Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com

CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com