Tempe PD investigates destruction of Muslim symbol on A Mountain

A crescent moon, built to celebrate the Muslim holiday Ramadan, was found destroyed this week on a Tempe mountain, city officials said Tuesday.

A student group designed and built the 15-foot-tall symbol to shine on A Mountain during Ramadan, a monthlong Muslim holiday observation representing spiritual renewal, prayer and reflection, according to a City of Tempe release.

“It stood on A Mountain, just like religious symbols of other faiths have done in the past,” the release stated. “It was found completely destroyed today.”

Tempe police are investigating the incident and have been providing additional patrols near places of worship during this holiday season, officials said.

“There is no place in our community for this kind of hate,” the release stated. “People of all faiths are welcome in Tempe, and they have the right to feel safe and be safe.”

Earlier this month, a man fired a paintball gun outside a mosque in North Phoenix.

Officers responded about 2:30 a.m. March 7 to a report of the man firing a BB gun toward people outside the Islamic Center of North Phoenix near 23^rd and Joan De Arc avenues.

Several people had seen a vehicle approach the mosque’s gate, police said. A man got out of a vehicle and pointed what initially appeared to be a firearm.

“The witnesses heard several popping sounds and retreated to safety,” police stated in a release.

The victims later determined the sounds were consistent with a pellet or paintball gun, not a firearm. The suspect returned to the vehicle and continued firing paintballs toward the group, striking several parked vehicles before fleeing the area, police said.

No injuries were reported.

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