Muslim Activists Raise Over $80,000 to Help Repair Vandalized Jewish Cemetery

After a Jewish cemetery was desecrated, Muslim activists united to raise thousands to cover repair costs.

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A crowdfunding campaign led by Muslim activists has raised thousands of dollars to help cover repair costs for a recently vandalized Jewish cemetery in Missouri. More than 100 headstones at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City were damaged, WDAF-TVreported Tuesday. The campaign's initial goal of $20,000 was surpassed within hours.

The effort was organized by Tarek El-Messidi of CelebrateMercy and Linda Sarsour of MPower Change. "Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America," the campaign site states. "We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event." At the time of publication, the campaign had raised more than $80,000.

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Sen. Roy Blunt called the cemetery damage an "affront" to American values in a statement to WDAF-TV Tuesday. "An attack against any faith compels all people of faith to come together in unyielding support for our neighbors, and unequivocal condemnation of the horrendous attack they have suffered," Blunt said. "Together, we will make it clear to the perpetrators of this desecration that they have only strengthened our resolve to defend the rights of every faith and individual in our community."

In a tweet Monday, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens said the vandalism was a "senseless act of desecration," calling on citizens to fight against intolerance:

At least 60 Jewish centers in the U.S. have been the target of multiple bomb threats this year alone, according toABC News

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