ADL ‘alarmed’ by anti-Muslim bigotry

The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement saying it was “alarmed” by harassing letters and voice mails reported by a mosque in Jersey City.

According to reports, the Al Tawheed Islamic Center in Jersey City received at least one threatening letter as well as voice mail messages last month that included disparaging comments about Muslims. The messages also referred to comments made by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump about “thousands and thousands” of Muslims in Jersey City celebrating the 9/11 attacks, a claim that has been widely discredited.

“We are alarmed by the recent spate of harassing letters and voicemails targeting the Al Tawheed Islamic Center in Jersey City, as well as the uptick of anti-Muslim animus directed towards Muslim individuals and Islamic centers across the country,” said ADL New Jersey director Joshua Cohen. “New Jerseyans of all backgrounds and beliefs must stand together against such bigotry.”

The incident is part of a recent uptick in anti-Muslim attacks and sentiment across the United States in the aftermath of the Paris and San Bernardino attacks. ADL has condemned other incidents across the country and the Islamophobic rhetoric espoused by public figures.