Redmond's MAPS Mosque Vandalized Again: Police Seek Male Suspect

REDMOND, WA - Police have identified a suspect in the latest vandalism incident targeting the Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque here.

The latest incident was reported Saturday morning around 8 a.m. The sign at the front of the mosque was damaged badly. In November, someone smashed the sign with a hammer, MAPS leaders said. The mosque just last week had repaired the sign.

Police are describing the suspect as a "young adult white male, tall and thin, wearing dark clothing and a dark baseball hat." They believe this person vandalized the mosque after midnight Saturday. Police are investigating this and the previous vandalism as hate crimes.

“I denounce this act of vandalism. I was pleased to see the entire community come together to support MAPS after the sign was vandalized in November,” Redmond Mayor John Marchione said in a statement Saturday. “The sign restoration ceremony last week showed how inclusive and respectful the Redmond community is, and I’m confident we will again rally to support MAPS."

MAPS is the largest mosque in Washington state with over 5,000 members. After the Nov. 21 incident, MAPS President Mahmood Kadeer told Patch.com that acts of hate won't get in the way of the mosque's relationship with the Redmond community.

"We will repair [the sign] eventually - we will not let this one incident from a hate-monger drive our interaction with the community; our faith is in our bonds together," he said in November.

Image via Redmond Police