MANTECA-

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is asking the FBI to investigate a recent vandalism at a Manteca mosque as a hate crime.

The Islamic Center of Manteca was reportedly hit with spray-painted hateful messages. Vandals also apparently left behind strips of raw bacon.

“Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork to offend Muslim sensibilities,” a statement from CAIR read.

Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of CAIR, adds that the Manetca mosque has been hit by vandals before.

“Because of the nature of the vandalism and the fact that the mosque has been targeted in the past, we urged state law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate this disturbing incident as a possible hate crime,” Elkarra said.