University police are investigating a possible hate crime that
evidently took place over the Easter weekend at the UCLA Medical
Center hospital.
On Saturday afternoon, an unknown individual entered the
hospital’s chapel and meditation center and poured what was
marked as pork blood onto prayer mats used by Muslim patrons of the
room.
UCPD detectives are investigating the incident under the
auspices of a hate crime, since eating or having contact with pork
is a serious violation of Islamic faith.
No one knows exactly when the incident occurred, but workers
discovered the crime scene about midday.
The chapel and meditation room is operated by the hospital and
accommodates many different religions, accounting for the prayer
mats’ availability.
“Our Spiritual Care staff and our hospital community are
saddened by this hateful act,” said Rev. Sandra Yarlott,
director of the hospital’s Spiritual Care Department.
“This incident only strengthens our commitment to continue to
serve the spiritual and religious needs of all people.”
The mats were found drenched, with a container marked
“pork blood” lying nearby. The liquid on the mats was
taken to laboratories for positive identification, said Nancy
Greenstein, director of police community services for UCPD.
Greenstein added that police have no leads so far in the case
but are interviewing people who may have information or know
patterns of people who frequent the chapel and meditation room. The
room is open to the public.
Hospital officials said they are not taking the incident
lightly.
“The hospital takes this hate crime very seriously and is
working closely with the UC Police Department to further
investigate this act of vandalism,” said Michael Karpf, vice
provost for UCLA Hospital Systems and director of the UCLA Medical
Center.
Mohammad Mertaban, president of the Muslim Student Association,
said he had worshiped at the chapel and meditation room before and
was startled by the incident.
“This is very shocking,” he said. “This
increases our responsibility to provide a safe space for Muslims to
pray.”