Copy of Quran, Book about Quran Defaced in Illinois
On Monday, librarians discovered swastikas, slurs and offensive graffiti defacing the books as staff prepared for a program that evening focusing on the Muslim holy book.
The graffiti appeared to be done in dark pencil and included references to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and included terms describing the Quran as a book "filled with lies and hate”, among other graffiti.
Librarians discovered the graffiti in seven books around 6 p.m. Monday when they were setting up for the evening's program about the Quran, said Evanston Public Library director Karen Danczak Lyons.
"We will prosecute. If we catch you, we will prosecute," Lyons said Tuesday.
Staff did not know when the books were vandalized, Lyons said.
Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan said his department is investigating the situation, but the time element could pose a challenge. The book most recently checked out was due back over the summer, both Lyons and Dugan said. Others were last checked out in 2014 and 2015.
"The big problem we face now is a time frame," Dugan said. Detectives will check library cameras to see if a suspect was caught on video, among other avenues of investigation, he said.
Charges could include criminal damage to property and possibly felony hate crime, depending on the motive of a suspect, Dugan said. Those would be decided if and when a suspect is identified, he said, and felony charges would be determined by the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Monday night's program was held in partnership with Northwestern University's Middle East and North African Studies Program as part of the library's MENA Mondays series, Lyons said. About 80 people attended Monday's program, titled "Is the Quran a 'good' book?"
The vandalized books included copies of the Quran; books introducing and about the Quran.
The vandalized books are being held as evidence, Lyons said. The library owns multiple copies of some of the books and will replace others as needed, she said.
Many Evanston residents and businesses have volunteered to replace the books, Lyons said. She encouraged others wanting to help to donate to the Evanston Public Library.
Going forward, Lyons said the Quran and books about the Quran will continue to be available to anyone perusing the library. Staff does not plan to require patron identification or install other security measures regarding the Quran or other holy books.
"I want to continue open access to all different ideas and information about all different faiths," Lyons said. "It's deeply troubling to me that someone, rather than come and listen to other points of view, would rather deface public property and come and spread these hateful messages that they wrote."
Source: Chicago Tribune
