Calls Jesus painting placed on New York mosqua called criminal offense

Hillside Islamic Center of New Hyde Park that had an unknown person leave a painting of Jesus on their property, called in police, reports the Christian Post.

Representatives of the Islamic Center believe the action should be investigated as a potential hate crime. Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Hillside Islamic Center, told The Christian Post that whoever hung the painting on their property "did not have good intention."

"He also violated and disrespected Jesus as prophet and his message. Therefore, we want police to investigate and apprehend this person," said Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan.

According to local media, the placing of the painting on the Islamic Center's property is being investigated by Nassau County officials as a bias incident.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has also weighed in on the matter, with the group's New York chapter noting in a statement released Monday that the incident "is being investigated as a possible hate crime".