NYPD Urged to Swiftly Probe Attack Targeting Imam of Islamic Center

NEW YORK (IQNA) – The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on the NYPD to conduct a “thorough and swift” investigation into the reported attack on the imam of the Islamic Center of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Astoria, N.Y.

The alleged assailant reportedly attacked Imam Budimlić by knocking him to the ground with a punch to the face, causing injuries to his face and multiple fractures to the face/nose. The alleged perpetrator was able to flee the scene. 

According to the press release issued by the Board of Directors of the center, the incident could have been prevented if the NYPD had responded to an earlier call reporting a disturbance at the center on the previous night by the same attacker.

The board indicated that the failure to respond on the prior night led to the alleged attacker’s return the next morning, resulting in the second incident about seven hours later.  

In a statement, the Executive Director of CAIR’s New York Chapter, Afaf Nasher, said: 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Imam and his family during this challenging time. This horrifying act of violence reminds us of the critical need for our law enforcement agencies to demonstrate unwavering commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of all our citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.” 

She added: “CAIR-NY urges the NYPD to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the incident and address the lack of responsiveness to the initial call to report the first incident. For far too long, incidents of this nature have gone unresolved, leading to fear, frustration, and a loss of faith in the systems that are supposed to protect us.” 

CAIR-NY’s 2022 report “Feeling the Hate: Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers” found that 64% of Muslims have experienced a hate crime, bias incident, or both. Yet only 4% of Muslims reported incidents to law enforcement, citing the lack of trust/accountability in law enforcement as a main reason.  

She added that CAIR-NY and the Muslim American community stand in solidarity with all those challenging white supremacy, anti-Jewish hate, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.              

Source: CAIR.com