US police search suspect of 'hate graffiti' at mosque

ANKARA

Moorhead city police in the US state of Minnesota said they are seeking a suspect of a hate attack who left offensive graffiti on a mosque.

The officers responded to a call of vandalism by staff at the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center mosque on Sunday at 5:20 am, the department said in a Facebook post.

"Officers found hate messages directed towards the Islamic faith, and their followers spray-painted several areas of the building's exterior," it added.

The video surveillance of the building captured images of a suspect who was wearing a camouflage jacket and dark ski mask, said the police, while the investigation continues.

In the photos circulating through social media, the hate messages were including "Death to Islam," "Go to Hell," and other graffiti were featuring racist language.

The attack, which took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was condemned by the cities of Fargo, West Fargo, Horace, Dilworth and Moorhead with a joint statement.

"Those criminal actions are completely contradictory to the values of tolerance, respect and acceptance we embrace in all of our communities. The vandalism was a heinous act of hate attacking the center during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan," they said.

Underlining that such actions "will not be tolerated in any of our cities," they echoed Mayor Shelly message "hate -- of any kind, shape or form -- does not have a home in this metro."