After a New Britain man and his family fell victim to what police are calling a possible hate crime, city and state officials gathered to send the message that hate crimes will not be tolerated.
NBC Connecticut interviewed Omer Abdelgader on Thursday, a day after a shirt with references to September 11 and ISIS was found hanging outside of his Arch Street home.
On the shirt were messages asking the Sudan native and president of the Islamic Association of Central Connecticut: “what is your plan?” “are you supporting or possible terrorism?” And questions of extremism.
In the center, it says “9/11 was not a joke.”
The back on of it says “ISIS or ISOL.”
“What is really hurting me and making me feel sad (is) that my message of love and peace and doing good by my community hasn’t got through to everybody yet,” Abdelgader said during an interview Thursday.
In less than 24 hours since that story aired, the Islamic Association of Central Connecticut arranged a news conference denouncing the possible hate crime.
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“Since your report, I’ve been showered with calls,” Abdelgader said during the news conference. “To be honest, I felt that my message is getting though.”
That message is one of peace, regardless of race or religion.
“We want to say that New Britain has no place for hate!” said Mongi Dhaouadi of the Connecticut Council on American Islamic Relations.
CAIR-CT was one of the many organizations and agencies that stood with Abdelgader, along with city, state, and faith leaders.
New Britain Police Chief James Wardwell said the police department will continue to investigate the incident, which they are calling a possible hate crime.
“For something like this to happen is so rare, but I will tell you it absolutely will not be tolerated,” Wardwell said.
The incident happened Wednesday on Arch Street between 1 p.m. and 1:40 p.m. Police are asking for anyone with information to call them, even if it is an anonymous tip.
Abdelgader said he forgives the person who wrote the messages on this shirt.
“I just want them to come, step in and see the amount of good we’re doing by our community,” he said.
