March 9, 2006	Thursday	Safar 8, 1427

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SAN FRANCISCO, March 8: Florida police are investigating vandalism incidents over the weekend that targeted a Muslim school and the house of a Pakistani national.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that there’s somebody with (a lot of) hatred,” said Rahman Bhatti, former vice-president of the Jefferson Muslim Association.

Curse words were spray-painted on the wall of the Islamic School of Greater New Orleans on the Maine Avenue and chewing gum was jammed into the front door’s lock, said Capt James Gallagher, Kenner police spokesman.

At the home of Ali Mohammad, vandals threw eggs and condiments on his front door and car, Capt Gallagher said.

The homeowner said bacon was also thrown on his car. Mr Mohammad and Mr Bhatti said the pork, which is proscribed in Islam, indicated the vandals targeted Muslims.

Mr Mohammad, who had lived in the US for 16 years, said he had not reported several other incidents that had occurred a few months ago after he returned from Houston, Texas, from where he evacuated because of the Hurricane Katrina. But he did report an incident on Jan 15 when eggs were thrown against his house and fireworks were lit on his front porch, Capt Gallagher said.

School officials had reported two egg-throwing incidents in August before the storm, Gallagher said.