Dade's largest mosque vandalized for 2nd time in '09

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- The Islamic School Of Miami appears to have been vandalized over the weekend, making it the second time Miami-Dade County's largest mosque has been attacked this year.

Two windows in a dark alley alongside the place of worship were smashed out. "They didn't try to break the main, big windows", said school representative Faisal Kaleem. "It looks like it's a cowardly act."

Thanks to footage from a surveillance camera that recorded the attackers, Miami-Dade Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have a substantial lead in the case.

On January 1st, in an attack being investigated as a hate crime, vandals used an assault rifle to fire more than 50 bullets at the worship center's dome. Authorities are looking into whether or not the two incidents are in fact related.

Faisel believes while no one has been injured in the past attacks, that good fortune may run out should the vandals strike again. "I really condemn this. We are very peaceful," he said. "We have a school running; we are a Sunday school. We have over 100 kids here. We don't want this to happen on any of these Sundays, or Fridays; we have Friday congregation: we have over 300, 400 people coming to the Mosque every Friday," said Faisal Kaleem. "The last thing we would want to happen is for [vandals] to come here during those times."

If you have any information on these apparent acts of vandalism, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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