Shirley mosque hit with hate graffiti gets prayer service visit from Suffolk police and Hochul's Muslim liaison

Suffolk County police appeared at weekly prayer services at a Shirley mosque Friday and pledged to solve a hate crime committed there last week that attracted the attention of the governor’s office.

Leaders of the Islaamic Center of Mastic-Shirley said that last weekend, someone spray-painted derogatory graffiti on a banner at the site on William Floyd Parkway where the second-largest mosque on Long Island is being built.

"We will not be stopping this investigation until somebody is brought to justice, because what has happened is absolutely inexcusable," Det. Sgt. Matthew DeMatteo, commanding officer of the police department’s hate crimes unit, told scores of worshippers. "We will not stand for it."

The prayers were held in a house across the street from the construction site, where leaders are hoping to raise enough to complete the multimillion-dollar mosque. It also will have a full-size basketball court and a food pantry that is open to the public.

DeMatteo said hate crime investigators had been scouring the neighborhood for clues and talking to residents.

"I have to tell you that there has been an overwhelming show of support in your cause," he said. "There has been empathy."

He added that "we’ve been working tirelessly on getting you guys some justice with this incident."

The defaced banner had announced, "New Mosque Coming Soon! Where Faith and Community Come Together."

Mamadou Siré Bah, who serves as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s liaison to the Muslim community, told worshippers the Muslim community is growing statewide, including on Long Island, and that New York has more Muslims than any other U.S. state.

"The message is we are here to stay," said Bah, Hochul’s director of Muslim American affairs.

Hate crimes against Muslims are on the rise, he said, "because we are different, because we worship differently ... because of who we are."

He encouraged worshippers to report any hate crimes.

One congregant, Mizanoor Rahman, 37, said he was glad the officials attended the prayer service and was impressed by what they said.

"I felt like these guys are really supporting us," Rahman said. "It feels like people are listening to us, especially cops. Usually nobody listens to us when it comes to this kind of stuff."

New York State’s anti-bias hotline is 844-NO-2-HATE (844-662-4283). Suffolk’s is 631-852-HATE (631-852-4283).