"Reporting from Fresno — Vandalism at a mosque in Madera, Calif., is being investigated as a potential hate crime by the U.S. Department of Justice, officials confirmed Tuesday.

U.S. Atty. Benjamin Wagner said prosecuting hate crimes is a priority, particularly in the Eastern District of California, which includes Madera County and covers Central California, one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.

"It's an environment with rapid urbanization. The diversity and change that makes California such a great place also means … there are more potential flashpoints," he said. "This office has a lot of experience prosecuting hate crimes."

Central California has many growing Muslim communities. In Madera, however, there are only about 200 Muslims in a city of 58,000 and most are long established. Many are doctors...

Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, welcomed the announcement.

"It's a declaration that our society, our government will not tolerate hate crimes, no matter what," he said. "But we still really hope local and national law enforcement increase patrols around Islamic centers during the next three days."

This year, Sept. 11 coincides with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the conclusion of the monthlong Ramadan celebration, a time of great joy and festivity in the Muslim community. In Fresno, an annual festival was canceled because of concerns over escalating tensions stirred up by the debate over a proposed Muslim cultural center near ground zero in New York.

In Madera, some spoke out in solidarity with the town's Muslim community."

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/08/...mosque-20100908

Oh, dear. Yet another Liberal feel good story goes the way of the rape epidemic at UVA.

"FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno on Christmas day, causing investigators at first to suspect a hate crime, police said Saturday...

Khan confessed, telling officers he was upset with people at the Islamic center for talking down or bullying him, Dyer said."

http://www.abc6.com/story/27715631/calif...-islamic-center

Better luck next time guys.

Figures. Yet a woman gets beheaded in Oklahoma and its 'workplace violence'. Guess in liberal la-la land muslems can't commit hate crimes, only non-muslems can.

So, we have another case of a Muzzie vandalizing an Islamic Center, and being labeled a "hate crime?" CAIR is doing its work well. LA Times will believe anything, won't they?