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Would-Be Brooklyn Mosque's Fence Defaced With Dead Bin Laden Graffiti


By

Jen Chung

Published May 10, 2011

Modified May 10, 2011


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Photograph from Sheepshead Bites

 


By

Jen Chung

Published May 10, 2011

Modified May 10, 2011


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Osama bin Laden's death roused up strong feelings of patriotism and jingoistic drink recipes—and it also inspired someone to inform a proposed Brooklyn mosque of the Al Qaeda leader's death by way of graffiti. Sheepshead Bites reports that "He is dead" and smiley faces were spray painted onto the fence outside a controversial mosque site. The mosque's organizers called it a "hateful act."

Ibrahim Anse, who is part of the group overseeing construction of the Voorhies Avenue mosque and cultural center, told Sheepshead Bites, "That was graffiti from a person who looks at the world in the wrong way. Osama bin Laden is dead, and we as Muslim Americans suffered from him and his act [as much as anyone else]... It is a relief for us as Muslims [that bin Laden has been] killed, which he deserves."

The mosque's developer has previously emphasized "we will denounce terrorism" of course, but the mosque's opponents think otherwise.

Tagged

brooklyn

graffiti

mosque

sheepshead bay

vandalism


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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