Posted on 08/07/2026 1:39:17 PM PDT by nickcarraway
An Islamic center in Westwood is working to rebuild trust after burglars broke in and vandalized its main hall with a hateful message, even as leaders say the center’s mission to serve the neighborhood will continue.
The Cincinnati Islamic Community Center is a modest building in the neighborhood that holds a biweekly food pantry and a trauma workshop with young people in the inner city. Members said the break-in was not the first at the center, but the shock this time was not what was taken; it was the damage left behind.
An Islamic center in Westwood is working to rebuild trust after burglars broke in and vandalized its main hall with a hateful message, even as leaders say the center’s mission to serve the neighborhood will continue. (WKRC, Provided)
Three monitors were taken from the hall where the center holds its services. Nashid Shakir, with the Cincinnati Islamic Community Center, said whoever broke in appeared prepared.
“You know, windows were broken. They actually cut the screen in order to get in,” Shakir said. “And they actually had tools in order to take the monitors off their stands. And then, they left that little message for us over on the board. It says, "F the opps, die." We have no idea where that came from. We didn't know that we had those types of issues with our community.”
Inside, the damage was still visible, including shattered glass and holes hammered into plaster, but members said the center has already begun to restore what it can. Where food was once scattered on the kitchen floor, fresh buys were waiting for the next pantry.
Ali-Rashid Abdullah, another member, said the break-in underscored the trauma he works to address through the center’s programming, including with young people affected by gun violence.
“This really reinforces the need to put services in this community for these people, you know. Here we have a house of worship, and we have people breaking in and selling instruments that we actually want to use on behalf of the community. So, we'll start from scratch,” Abdullah said.
Shakir said he views the moment as a push to move faster in the work the center is trying to do.
“It's like He's giving us a kick, a push. 'Y'all been doing stuff, but you've been doing it too slow, so it's now time for y'all to pump it up, make it happen, and not just think that you have forever,” Shakir said.
Leaders said the break-in happened within the past week, and the congregation has not come together yet. Shakir and Abdullah said they have received support from the Islamic community, interfaith groups, and City Hall. They also said they are thankful for the building and the land around it, and Shakir said he hopes he can talk with the suspects if they are ever found.
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I smell Jussie Smollett.
You can’t trust a religion that believes it’s okay to lie to gain what they want.
Islam is inherently evil. Trying to conceal that with nice messaging is just another one of its many lies.
“You can’t trust a religion that...isn’t a religion to begin with.
Exactly.
Correct.
Exactly.
“F the opps, die.”
What does that even mean? I understand the F part, but what is “the opps”?
What “trust”???
Who trusts a so-called “religion” that does nothing but kills, lies, and deceit????
IIRC-—LeBRON JAMES LIVES IN WESTWOOD
Mm-hm.
“You can’t trust a religion that believes it’s okay to lie to gain what they want.”
You are too kind. You left out murder, torture, rape, and destroy property and people not for their neighborhood, but for their false god. That might be a little closer to the reality that offers rewards to do the above things even within their, so called, bible. Another “religion” like it is satanism.
wy69
Boo hoo, did they catch the perps . probably self=sabbotage to gin up fake pity from their “community” beware the ides of MadMoe!
To build trust they should convert to Methodism, support Israel, embrace the LGBTQ++ communisties, denounce slavery love dogs and eat pork, inshallah.
When they are in the minority it’s all soup kitchens and helping hands. Once the demographics shift, out come the groomers and headchoppers.
Ought to be a verb form for that
If this isn’t just a Jussie, it still speaks volumes: those against Islam vandalize an empty building, hurting no one. Those Islam is against are vaporized as the building comes down.
A mosque
It’s like a Methodist church....with AK’s in the basement.
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