A mosque in Rockland County, N.Y., issued an apology this week after a guest cleric called for Allah to “destroy the Zionist Jews” and “liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque” in the course of delivering an address earlier this month. The apology came after video clips of the speech were shared on social media, drawing condemnation from local leaders and increased security around houses of worship.
In a statement posted to Facebook late Sunday, the Islamic Center of Rockland said that “during a sermon at our masjid, a guest imam delivered several hurtful statements that included a prayer to God for the destruction of Zionist Jews as part of the conflict in Gaza. We unequivocally condemn these statements. The Islamic Center of Rockland stands firmly against anti-Semitism and any rhetoric that incites violence or hatred, as we have for the 35 years we have operated in this county alongside other faiths.”
Historically, the Islamic Center of Rockland, which sits within the boundaries of Clarkstown, N.Y., has enjoyed a congenial relationship with the Jewish community, partnering with local synagogues and Jewish clergy on social initiatives like feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving. All of which, community officials say, made the remarks by the imam puzzling and unexpected.
In the Aug. 9 speech posted on the Islamic Center’s YouTube page and shared online by MEMRI (the Middle East Media Research Institute), the imam said, “Oh Allah, destroy the Zionist Jews. Oh Allah, seize them with a crushing grip, oh Lord of the Universe. Oh Allah, make their plots backfire on them … liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the plundering Jews, return it to the fold of the Muslims, and let us pray there, oh Lord of the Universe.”
The imam’s name has not been released.
An estimated 100,000 Jews live in Rockland County, just north of New York City, out of a total county population of 339,000; it is believed to be the highest density of Jewish residents in America.
“While there are no known or credible threats, the Clarkstown Police Department has stepped up patrols around all houses of worship and culturally significant places,” said George Hoehmann, Clarkstown town supervisor. He also said that he does not think that the “extreme rhetoric is not representative of the vast majority of the people at the Islamic Center of Rockland County.”
After Shabbat on Aug. 10, the Jewish Federation of Rockland along with the Rockland Board of Rabbis, the Anti-Defamation League NY/NJ issued a joint statement about the imam’s speech. In it, Federation’s CEO Ari Rosenblum said: “The last 10 months have carried the weight tragedy for all. There is room for critical and constructive conversations between Jewish and Muslim communities. But there is no room for hateful, violent speech like this. It is more than alarming, it is threatening … .”
The ADL’s regional director Scott Richman said in the same statement that “the Jewish people have learned by terrible example that rhetoric calling for the destruction of Jews—based on dangerous disinformation—not only fuels hatred and divides neighbors but can lead to harmful real-world consequences.”
Also expressing disappointment in the sermon was Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) whose region includes Rockland County. “As someone who has spoken to the Islamic Center on multiple occasions and never encountered such vile hatred, I urge them to swiftly condemn it,” he said in a statement on Sunday, adding that he hoped the incident would serve as a “bridge toward further dialogue, understanding and cooperation between our diverse faith communities.”
Bill Weber (R-38th District), a New York state senator, called for “accountability and consequences for anyone who would speak in such an unacceptable manner within my district … .”
Speaking to JNS on Monday, Rosenblum said Jewish groups and other stakeholders, including local officials, were working behind the scenes to address their concerns with the Islamic Center and, if necessary, take other action given the “egregious, violent statement with the potential of threat to the Jewish community—and we don’t take that lightly.”
“This is the reality of Jewish life in America after Oct. 7,” he said. “You have to be prepared to reach out on one hand to resolve it, but with the other hand to reach out and rally together with allies in the community,” such as political leaders and local law enforcement, “to confront this kind of threat if need be, and that’s what we were prepared to do.”
He said officials at the center have taken responsibility and “whenever anybody takes responsibility, that is better than not.”