Police probe hate crime at North New Hyde Park Islamic center

<p>Police are investigating what they are calling a hate crime at an Islamic house of worship in North New Hyde Park.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 9, 2017, 10:07 AM

Updated 2,704 days ago

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Police are investigating what they are calling a hate crime at an Islamic house of worship in North New Hyde Park. 
Surveillance video shows a man hanging a picture of Jesus Christ on the fence of the Hillside Islamic Center.
"My reaction was kind of surprised," says Abdul Bhuiyan. "In this community...we've been here since 2002.  This is the first time this has happened."
News 12 is told an employee found the picture Friday and reported it to police.
Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime despite the fact the mosque officials say they don't find Jesus to be offensive.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 244-TIPS.
The Islamic Center will be hosting an interfaith barbecue on July 21 in hopes of building trust and understanding in the community.