Coachella mosque moving forward after firebombing, hate crime

Muslims were targeted in several hate crimes across the southland after the mass shooting in San Bernardino. Mosque leaders and members in Coachella are shaken up, but leaning on their faith for comfort after an explosive device blew through their doors Friday in a vicious hate crime.

The Islamic Society of Coachella Valley was blackened and boarded up on the outside Monday. Inside there was shattered glass, melted items and the walls, ceiling and doors were charred.

“There’s still days of sadness and we’re trying to pick up the pieces and make decisions,” said Imam Reymundo Nour. “Community members are still quite concerned, some are actually scared for their safety, but we’re attempting to move forward with our lives and put our community back together.”

Investigators arrested 23-year-old Carl James Dial Jr. of Palm Desert, charging him with arson and a hate crime. He’s expected in court in Indio on Wednesday.

“It made many people feel a lot safer of course, but in these incidents we’re always concerned with copycats,” said Nour.

Zeinab Hijazi, an intern at our news station, and a member at the Islamic Society of Coachella Valley, said she’s grateful the firebomb didn’t do more damage.

“I don’t have words, it’s upsetting,” she said. “I personally do get scared, someone could’ve been injured, someone God forbid could’ve died. My dad was in there. People I’ve grown up were in there. It hurts that someone could’ve been hurt.”

Mosque leaders said surveillance video helped police get their man. Now, leaders plan to increase security even more.

“Earlier this year we had someone drive-by and fire shots at our Mosque, we increased security at that time, it seems like we have to do it again,” said Nour.

It will take months to repair the Mosque until then leaders plan to rent out a nearby banquet hall so people have a place to pray. Meanwhile police continue to investigate the hate crime.