The Messages Spray-Painted on an Islamic School That Have People Calling for a Hate Crime Investigation

The Islamic School of Rhode Island was hit by vandalism Sunday, the Providence Journal reported.

The vandalism prompted a call for a "hate crime" investigation — which is exactly what one of the spray-painted messages mentioned, reading, "F*** Allah now this is a hate crime."

islamic School of Rhode Island defaced by slurs on Islam and Muhammad over weekend. https://t.co/W9oHqh1XzP pic.twitter.com/Lfu7rEkQbG

— Religion NewsService (@RNS) February 16, 2015

Other messages using slurs such as "ragheads" and "pigs."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the graffiti and linked the vandalism to other recent incidents involved American Muslims, including the shooting of three Muslims in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

"This apparently bias-motivated incident should be investigated as a hate crime, with the strongest possible charges brought against the perpetrators once they are apprehended," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper in a statement. "The recent spike in anti-Muslim hate rhetoric and bias-motivated attacks on American Muslims and their institutions must be addressed by our nation's leaders."

Police are investigating the vandalism.

—

Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter