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Imam Shahbaz Sahikh, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of San Francisco Mosque (400 Crescent Avenue), reported that Eid Al-Adha prayer services being observed on June 16, 2024, at 8:30 am, by over 50 of the community's Muslim faithful, at Louis Sutter Playground on Wayland & Amherst Streets, San Francisco, were interrupted by an individual shouting hateful, abusive, racist and Islamophobic speech at the faithful. This incident was captured on video and reported to the Mayor's Office, SF Police Department authorities, and the SF District Attorney.
Eid Al-Adha is among Islam's most holy observances. Those worshippers who attended, anticipating a peaceful, spiritually uplifting religious gathering, were effectively traumatized by the verbal assaults, too graphic to publish.
The growing number of such hate incidents, especially targeting worshiping religious communities, around important holy day observances, reflects heightened societal tensions.
The San Francisco Interfaith Council, whose mission is "to to bring people of different faiths together to celebrate our City's rich diverse religious and spiritual traditions, build understanding and serve our community," condemns such hateful acts, calls upon our civic partners to further investigate and seek justice in this matter, and offer increased law enforcement presence, vigilance and protection to peace-loving communities of faith seeking to practice their faith in our City of San Francisco.
In particular, we pray that the religious leaders and faithful of the Islamic Center of San Francisco Mosque, as well as our City's broader Muslim community, will be comforted and strengthened in the aftermath of this tragic incident.
Contact:
Michael G. Pappas, Executive Director
San Francisco Interfaith Council
mgpappas@sfinterfaithcouncil.org
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