Hate crime suspected after slaughtered pig found at Texas mosque

Police in Cypress, Texas are reportedly investigating a possible hate crime after a slaughter pig was found at the entrance of a local mosque.

Islamic Outreach Center spokesperson Ilyas Choudry told Houston Press that the dead pig was discovered on the building's deck and a hate crime report had been filed with police.

"They are looking at it, but we believe the pig was placed there," Choudry said. "It was right in the center of the deck."

"Although Muslims do not abhor any animal, it is not allowed (not Halal or not Kosher) for Muslims to eat the meat of pig," the spokesperson explained in an email. "At times pig is used symbolically against Muslims, and similar things have happened in the past across the world, and in the recent past in another part of Houston region, when pig races were held in Katy besides a Muslim place of worship."

CAIR-Texas Houston Chapter Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll called the incident "alarming" and "offensive."

"It compromises the Muslim community's sense of safety," Carroll explained. "We ask that law enforcement investigate this incident and perpetrator be held accountable. There is no place for hate at houses of worship. The increase of Islamophobic in American society rhetoric is contributing to these unfortunate occurrences."

Listen to this audio from KUHF, broadcast Dec. 5, 2012.