Mohamad Bekheet, 32, of Clifton, allegedly smeared what is believed to be feces on a sign at the public school on Monday to cover up the last five letters, “allah,” of Awadallah’s name, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.Awadallah was a leader in Paterson’s Arab-American community who taught lessons in heritage and culture at a Paterson school. He passed away in 2012.
“Bias crimes spread like cancer through a community, creating fear and distrust and undermining everyone’s sense of peace and security,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. “As bias and hate continue to rise in New Jersey, we must be vigilant in addressing these crimes immediately to hold perpetrators accountable and to send a clear message that they will not be tolerated in any capacity.