Islamic Center Target of Vandals

January 21, 2007

Author: Pratik Joshi

Source: Tri-City Herald

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/8579343p-8472380c.html

Mohammed Ahmed of Kennewick was shocked to find a broken window at the Islamic Center of the Tri-Cities when he went there for prayers.

On the ground, below the shattered window, was a rock. And Ahmed, a former president of the center, said this wasn't the first time the center has been targeted by vandals.

Several acts of vandalism took place at the center on his watch a few years ago, Ahmed added.

"It's an ongoing problem," Ahmed said.

West Richland police are not excluding a potential hate-crime motive in their investigation of Friday's vandalism, said Officer Clark Boyer.

The baseball-sized rock likely was thrown at the window sometime after 9 p.m. Thursday and before noon Friday. He estimated it would cost $300 to replace the window.