Muslim group condemns vandalism of Queens Catholic church

NEW YORK (MNTV) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a Muslim civil rights group, has condemned the reported vandalism of a Catholic church in the borough of Queens, where a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

CAIR-NY called the attack an assault not only on a religious symbol but on religious freedom and community safety, saying places of worship must remain spaces where people can practice their faith without fear. 

Executive Director Afaf Nasher said the group stands with the affected church and urged anyone with information to cooperate with law enforcement, adding that vandalism against religious sites spreads fear well beyond the immediate victims.

The group also noted Mary’s shared significance across faiths: Islam honors her as a revered figure, and the Quran devotes an entire chapter to her — a connection CAIR-NY used to stress interfaith solidarity. 

The organization previously condemned the vandalism of synagogues in Queens, arguing that attacks on any faith community feed a wider climate of intolerance.

The incident comes amid rising concern over hate crimes against religious institutions in New York and nationally. 

Civil rights advocates say protecting communities requires both law enforcement action and broader efforts to counter prejudice. 

CAIR-NY reiterated its opposition to antisemitism, racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and white supremacy, saying an attack on one community threatens all. 

Community leaders urged vigilance while warning against letting isolated acts deepen divisions.