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An Islamic cemetery that was initially denied a permit in rural Dakota County has now been vandalized.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says vandals recently entered the Al Maghfirah cemetery in Castle Rock Township and spray painted profanities and swastikas. 

CAIR-MN says the vandals also damaged walls, furniture and other property. One spray-painted message that apparently says: "Leave, you R dead."

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forced Castle Rock Township to issue a conditional use permit

 for the cemetery, finding that the township's initial decision to deny the permit was arbitrary.

CAIR-MN executive director Jaylani Hussein says the attack on the cemetery comes at a time of increasing anti-Muslim incidents nationwide. He is urging authorities to investigate it as a possible hate crime.

Crime, Law and Justice

Religion and Faith

The Associated Press

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The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says vandals recently entered the Al Maghfirah cemetery in Castle Rock Township and spray-painted profanities and swastikas.

In an edited photo, a spray-painted message reads: "Leave, you R dead."

Islamic cemetery vandalized in rural Dakota Co.

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