BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New York vandalized, elected leaders, community condemn incident

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On the night of September 15, 2024, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalized with messages of hatred.

“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America. We strongly condemn these acts and pray for peace amongst all communities,” a message from BAPS said.

A prayer assembly was organized the very next day, September 16, attended by community members and local, state, and federal leaders representing Long Island.

“We strongly condemn these acts and pray for peace amongst all communities. Peace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States,” said a statement from BAPS. “We also offer our deepest prayers for those who perpetrated this crime to be released of their hatred and to see our common humanity.”

The BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, upon learning of the vandalism, called the local authorities “and BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime.”

Community members gathered September 16, at the site of the vandalism to offer prayers for peace and unity and were supported by local, state and federal leaders.

Those who expressed support included leaders representing Long Island, including U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy New York State Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Mario Mattera, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown, New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk County Deputy Under Sheriff Keith Taylor, Suffolk County Police Precinct Supervisor William Scrima, Huntington Township Police Inspector Kevin Williams, Huntington Township Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, Huntington Township Supervisor Ed Smyth, Huntington Township Clerk Andrew Raia, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Shrivastava, Babylon Township Councilman Dwayne Gregory and Rod Calarco, Representative of the Governor of New York.

Representatives from community organizations including NAACP President Tracey Edwards, Rabbi Susie Moskowitz from Temple Beth Torah, Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller from Temple Chaverim, Pastor Tom Johnson from St. Lutheran Church and Hassan Ahmed of Masjid Darul Quran as well as a representatives from American Jewish Committee and the various Hindu Mandirs in the area also were present to show their support – a powerful testament to our shared values of respect and unity.

BAPS thanked local and state authorities for their support.