New Jersey politicians show solidarity with Muslims after mosque harassment

New Jersey politicians, including the governor and a senator, as well as religious leaders of different faiths are showing solidarity with Muslims over harassment at four mosques in the state.

In the incidents of harassment, a truck drove up to mosques with a lighted digital billboard with pictures of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. All the incidents took place on 26 November, the 14th anniversary of the bombings and shootings committed by extremists from Pakistan that killed 175 people.

Though no one was harmed during the harassment, the act of a truck bearing inflammatory images and pulling up to crowded mosques was unsettling for congregants, who were taken by surprise and had no idea what was going to happen next.

During a speech on Friday at the Islamic Center of Old Bridge in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy reportedly said: "We will not stand for anti-Muslim behaviour.

"We will not stand for any intimidation of your right to worship. And we will, whether it's [through] the hard edge of law enforcement or using my bully pulpit or social media or, more importantly, where I choose to stand and speak."

Earlier this month, Senator Cory Booker showed his support for his state's Muslim community, writing in a tweet: "Anti-Muslim harassment has no place in New Jersey — or anywhere. We must stand together to reject acts of hate anywhere they happen."

As for religious leaders of different faiths, the group Hindus for Human Rights attended an interfaith rally held 11 December in response to the incidents. 

It is still unclear who is behind the harassment at these mosques in New Jersey. However, there are some indications that it could be linked to Hindu extremism, based on previous incidents that have occurred in the area, Dina Sayedahmed, communications manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-New Jersey, told The New Arab.

In August, an Indian business association marched in an Indian Independence Day celebration driving bulldozers, often used as a symbol for the demolition of Muslim homes in India. Local Hindu groups at the time denounced it.

So far, the police have not released much information and are not commenting on the ongoing investigation.

What is known at this point is that the driver has been apprehended and questioned. It appears that he was hired to drive by the mosques and that he was unaware of the significance of what he was doing.

"We're not putting any onus on the driver," said Sayedahmed. "We don't want to see public shaming. We just want to see the harassment not occur."