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It is despicable when members of any faith community are made to fear for their safety due to their beliefs. The opportunity for religious freedom is what drew millions of people to these shores over hundreds of years, and the free exercise of faith is a cherished principle fundamental to our nation.

So the community’s heart should break to see vandalism deface the Masjid Ash-Shura mosque in Norfolk on Sunday, a crime now under investigation. Such actions have no place in Hampton Roads and do not reflect our values.

There is light amid that darkness, though, as area residents came to help wash away the graffiti and rallied to the support of the local Muslim community. That’s far more indicative of the people who live here and a firm rebuke

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