Los Angeles Times reports: “O.C. Islamic Educational Center a target of anti-Muslim acts”
— “Costa Mesa police have stepped up patrols near the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, the target of recent anti-Islamic acts including vandalism, hate mail and the burning of two copies of the Koran.:
— LA Times also reports that “Vandals also recently defaced part of an outdoor interfaith holiday display in Mission Viejo”
— “A burned and torn copy of the Koran was found in the parking lot at the educational center, on Airport Loop Drive, during Friday prayers. It was the second time in a month that a desecrated Koran had been found there, according to a statement on the Costa Mesa mosque’s website.”
— “Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Ed Everett said that his department has increased patrols in the area but that no arrests have been made.”
— “In the Mission Viejo incident, vandals defaced the Islamic portion of the holiday display but left nearby Christian components untouched. They painted over a verse from the Koran and left behind a piece of paper reading ‘No Islamic Lighthouses in the U.S.A.’ ”
— “Syeda said the vandalism of the display, at La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive, was reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which provides police services to Mission Viejo. Investigators could not be reached Saturday.”
— “Syeda and other Muslims said they hope the incidents prompt public disavowals of such behavior.”
Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, Costa Mesa, California Statement:
— “IECOC STATEMENT: HOLY QURAN FOUND DESECRATED OUTSIDE IECOC”
— “On January 1st, 2010, a torched and mutilated Quran was found at the back entrance of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County (IECOC) during the Friday (Jumah) Prayer.”
— “The Holy Quran was found lying open, burned, and torn in the back parking lot at the IECOC by a member coming for Friday prayers.”
— “This deplorable incident is a form of anti-Islamic assault, hate-crime, and terror campaign against American Muslims. Even more, it is a great offence against 1.2 billion Muslim followers worldwide because it defiles their holiest and most sacred divine book.”
— “The IECOC calls upon conscious people, including all faiths, to condemn this despicable act and to raise the banner of tolerance and peaceful coexistence amongst all American citizens.”
— “Currently, the Costa Mesa Police Department (in California) is conducting their investigation. Still, we call upon concerned citizens to take an active role by showing their concern and to demand local and state officials to conduct a quick investigation and to bring the evil perpetrators to justice of this shameful and terrorizing act.”
— “Unfortunately, this is not the first religious attack at IECOC. Another incident occurred in which the mosque was vandalized and several threatening anti-Islamism letters have been received in recent months.”
"Actual photo of the Holy Quran that was found outside IECOC" (IECOC Web Site)