House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned what he described as an Islamophobic attack Friday at a mosque and community center in East New York, calling the incident hateful and unacceptable.
In a statement released May 16, Jeffries said worshippers participating in afternoon prayers were targeted during the attack. No injuries were reported, but the incident sparked outrage among Brooklyn’s Muslim and Bangladeshi American communities. This renewed concerns about anti-Muslim harassment in the city.
New Yorkers should be able to practice their faith freely without fear of intimidation, harassment or violence. Jeffries called attacks based on religion unacceptable and said there is no place for Islamophobia in New York City or elsewhere in society.
“I am horrified by the hateful attack yesterday at a mosque and community center in East New York. While I am grateful that no one was injured, I join our Muslim brothers and sisters, Brooklyn’s vibrant Bangladeshi American community and all people of goodwill in being outraged at the fact that anyone would be targeted just for participating in afternoon prayers,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The congressman also expressed solidarity with Brooklyn’s Muslim residents and the borough’s Bangladeshi American community following the incident. East New York is home to a growing South Asian and Muslim population, with mosques and community centers serving as important gathering spaces for residents and families throughout the neighborhood.
Jeffries thanked the New York City Police Department for responding quickly and working to identify those responsible. Police have not released additional information about possible suspects or charges connected to the incident.
The statement comes as Muslim communities across the country continue to report concerns about discrimination, harassment and hate crimes. Religious leaders and community advocates in New York have repeatedly called for stronger protections against bias-related violence and intimidation targeting places of worship and immigrant communities.
Local leaders have also emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedom and ensuring residents can gather safely for prayer and community events without fear of harassment or violence.
