Officials say that a man was arrested and charged with bias intimidation on Friday after he was accused of breaking a sign at the Dr. Hani Awadallah School in Paterson earlier this week.
A statement from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office says that Mohamad Bekheet, 32, of Clifton, spread what is thought to be feces on a sign at a public school on Monday to hide the last five letters of Awadallah’s name, “allah.”
“God” is what “Allah” means in Arabic.
Awadallah was a leader in the Arab-American community in Paterson. He gave lessons at a Paterson school about heritage and culture. In 2012, he passed away.
The office said that Bekheet was also charged with criminal damage and harassment.
In a statement, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said that bias crimes spread through a community like cancer, causing fear, mistrust, and a loss of peace and security for everyone. “As bias and hate crimes continue to rise in New Jersey, we must act quickly to stop them, hold the people who do them accountable, and make it clear that they will not be accepted in any way.”
Read More:
New Hampshire Is Not Part of A Plan for A $3.6 Billion Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub. Why?
Pro Wrestler jimmy the Jester from New Jersey Dies Sadly at Age 34
Curaleaf Can Sell Recreational Marijuana at Two Locations in New Jersey until 4/20.
