San Francisco, California, June 14, 2002 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was appalled at the vandalism of the Al Hilaal Islamic Charitable Foundation Masjid building site. The mosque construction site was vandalized earlier this week when windows were shattered and obscene graffiti was left at the mosque construction site. ADL urges law enforcement to continue to vigorously pursue this apparent hate crime.

Jonathan Bernstein, ADL Regional Director, sent a letter of support to those directly effected by this act of hate:

"As a civil rights agency fighting to end anti-Semitism, discrimination, and bigotry, I am deeply troubled by this attack on a new religious institution. An attack on one community because of their religious beliefs is an attack on all members of the community. ADL condemns this act of violence and hate. Every voice in the Bay Area must speak together in condemning the vicious acts of haters."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.