The Ramadan Sharia Law symbol was put up on Butte Mountain, called "A Mountain" because a large letter "A" sits at its peak.
Originally, the letter on Tempe Butte was an 'N', built by Tempe Normal School's class of 1918. The school changed its name to Tempe State Teacher's College in 1925, and the 'N' was adapted into a 'T'. Subsequently, three years later, the school would change its name again to Arizona State Teacher's College. It wasn't until 1938 that an “A” first appeared. It was formed from loose rocks and soon after, the fall ritual of whitewashing the "A" began. In 1952, vandals with dynamite completely destroyed the "A." The latest "A," made of reinforced steel and poured concrete, was built in 1955. It is 60 feet from its base to its top.
Typical to see local news defend Muslims, Jihad, Sharia Law, Ramadan, and pagan symbols. America, the fight is larger than you can imagine.
SHAMI: Ramadan is a month of spirituality.
Don't make me laugh.
Ramadan is a time of peace, reflection, and community, but for Muslims here in the Valley, this year's observance is different.
SHAMI: It's a sad time.
Our officers received a report that the crescent moon had been pushed over and vandalized.
On Tuesday, Tempe police officer, Lyndsey Fernandez says the crescent moon placed on Tempe's "A Mountain" meant to mark Ramadan was found knocked over and vandalized, causing $20,000 in damage.
FERNANDEZ: This case has been assigned to a detective. We are currently working on trying to figure out who did this.
Police say the cost of damages could determine whether charges are misdemeanor or felony. And they're also investigating whether this could be a hate crime.
FERNANDEZ: Well, we're looking at the statue . . . criminal damage. So what criminal damage means is what somebody's intent was intentionally or recklessly damaged property.
Usama Shami is the President of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix says this act sends a painful message.
SHAMI: If somebody puts a cross on A Mountain or wherever to celebrate a religious holiday, then that should be respected because we live in a city that is multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious . . .
Who is Usama Shami?
from Wikipedia,
Usama Shami is the President of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix.[5] Sheikh Mahmoud Sulaiman, an Al-Azhar University graduate, has served as the imam of the mosque since 2002, prior to which he was imam at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
But it comes as Muslims are gathering nightly, praying, reflecting, and breaking their fast together.
SHAMI: People concentrate on their spirituality and concentrate on giving and being charitable.
A time meant for unity, this community says will not be overshadowed by recent attacks.
SHAMI: Incidents like that trying to take Muslims out of the spiritual concentration they have, ah, it's not going to work.
In the incident from Phoenix last week, a man was arrested, accused of firing a pellet gun at a mosque and at people who were gathered outside celebrating Ramadan. As far as the investigation here in Tempe, police tell me it is ongoing and they are trying to get that person who is responsible. But they also say that they will continue to provide additional surveillance of mosques and any kind of religious places here in the Tempe area.
Reporting live, Alexis Dominguez for Arizona's Family.
