A grand jury indicted an Astoria man for allegedly breaking into a South Richmond Hill mosque and destroying property, including numerous religious texts.
Zakaria Kabir, 37, was arraigned on several counts that labeled the April 29 incident as a hate crime and could spend the next three to 15 years in prison if convicted, according to the Queens DA’s office.
“The defendant in the case is accused of going on a hate-filled, violent,” acting District Attorney John Ryan said on May 16. “He allegedly destroyed several Qurans, threw a chair into a TV and ransacked the space while spewing his anti-Muslim beliefs. Queens is the most diverse county in the United States – a proud distinction where people from all cultures and backgrounds live, work and pray in harmony. This defendants alleged actions are wholly unacceptable and he will be held accountable.”
Kabir is accused of going to the Sunnat-ul-Jamaat of NY mosque, located at 112-03 101st Ave., after 9 p.m., screaming and striking the building with his fists to beat the door open.
Upon entering, Kabir allegedly threw a chair into a TV, ripped up several Qurans and turning over furnishings.
“These people are a terrorist group. They need to leave the country,” Kabir allegedly said, according to the DA.
The estimated damage to the Qurans was about $5,000, the DA said.
Kabir is scheduled to return to court on June 11.
