Anti-Muslim Imagery Paraded Around Piscataway Mosque, Members Say

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Members of a Piscataway mosque said an anti-Muslim incident occurred there this past Saturday, where someone drove a truck in circles through the mosque's parking lot, showing graphic photos from the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

This took place Saturday afternoon at the Muslim Center of Middlesex County on Hoes Lane in Piscataway, according to Dina Sayedahmed, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ).

The truck circled the mosque parking lot at a time when more than 200 people were standing outside, having just concluded a religious service inside, she said.

Piscataway Police were notified about the incident, she said. A spokesman for Piscataway Township confirmed a police report was filed. Gov. Phil Murphy spoke out strongly about the incident, tweeting Wednesday:

"Anti-Muslim intimidation tactics are utterly unacceptable and downright shameful. No one should have to fear being harassed at their place of worship or in their community. I stand with our Muslim community and condemn this horrible act of bigotry."

Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler said he too is "deeply disturbed about reports of religious-based harassment against the Muslim Center of Middlesex County." He said he was told the truck appeared to be a commercial vehicle and it had "disturbing" imagery.

"I and the Township Council condemn all forms of religious bigotry," said Wahler in a statement posted on social media. "And are committed to protecting all places of worship in Piscataway."

The Mumbai attacks were a series of terrorist attacks that took place in November 2008, where members of a Pakistani Islamic terrorist organisation carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks that lasted for four days across Mumbai. In total, at least 174 people were killed. Tension between Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India has remained extremely high since then.

“The intent behind this incident is clear. By targeting a Muslim center and deliberately circling its premises repeatedly, the perpetrators expect New Jersey’s Muslim community to answer to, or even feel shame for, an event that occurred entirely independent of them," said CAIR-NJ director Selaedin Maksut. “Anti-Muslim intimidation tactics like these are unacceptable. They mirror the tactics used against American Muslims in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks."

This happened at approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday, said Sayedahmed. The truck circled the mosque parking lot twice, making stops throughout.

One member of the mosque got into their car and followed the truck out of the parking lot onto Rt. 18 north, and recorded the truck as it drove off, she said. However, the driver was not stopped.

“While everyone — even bigots — has the right to free speech, no one has the right to target religious minorities especially at their houses of worship with intimidation and harassment," added Maksut.

Video of the truck provided by CAIR-NJ:

Provided by CAIR-NJ, here is video from the car that followed the truck to Rt. 18:

He also said the incident was reminiscent of this past August, when a bulldozer was included in the India Independence Day parade in Edison and Woodbridge. In India, some say the bulldozer symbolizes anti-Muslim sentiment and the destruction of Muslim homes by the government. The specific bulldozer used in the Edison/Woodbridge parade had large photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both Hindu nationalist figures. Adityanath specifically has been known for making inflammatory anti-Muslim comments.

Gov. Murphy and both U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker all condemned the use of the bulldozer in the parade, calling on parade organizers to apologize. After several weeks of declining to comment, the Indian Business Association, which organized the parade, apologized.

CAIR-NJ and the mosque members said they will hold a joint press conference outside the mosque at 2 p.m. Wednesday, to condemn Saturday's incident. Wahler said he too will be at Wednesday's press conference outside the Islamic center, and "is looking forward to meeting with (mosque) leadership to discuss the incident and determine ways to improve the safety of Muslim members of the Piscataway community."

Related: Organizers Apologize For Including Bulldozer In Edison Parade (Sept. 1)