Anti-Muslim video taken at Tempe mosque; 2 women arrested

TEMPE, Ariz. - Two women who were seen in a Facebook video uttering anti-Muslim vitriol while removing flyers and brochures from a suburban Phoenix mosque have been arrested.

Tempe police spokeswoman Lily Duran says Tahnee Gonzales and Elizabeth Dauenhauer were booked into a city jail Thursday afternoon on suspicion of third-degree burglary.

Authorities say Gonzales and Dauenhauer entered the Islamic Community Center of Tempe last week and subsequently removed various items, including pulling fliers from bulletins and taking pages from the Quran.

Quran, also written as Koran, is the central religious text of Islam.

The duo reportedly let their dogs urinate on the property as well.

According to Duran, the two, if convicted, could see their sentence enhanced if they were seen as perpetrating a hate crime.

In the video, which had been posted on Gonzales' Facebook page, one woman films as the other walks with three children past a "no trespassing" sign. The women continuously describe Muslims as "devil-Satan worshippers" who "hate America."

Imam Ahmad al-Akoum saw the video, and said what disturbed him the most was the women brought their young children along.

"I was really disturbed and saddened by the fact that they have brought their children along with them," said al-Akoum. "It's like training to be bigots."

Prior to the trip to the mosque, the video showed the woman outside, near the Arabic Cafe, denouncing it as well. The cafe's owner, Mourad Belgaied, said he was not shocked by the words, but more so the circumstance.

"In the middle of all this, I am really surprised at how they could be teaching their kids these hard feelings.. this hate to others," said Begaied.

Al-Akoum also had words for the women.

"Come to Muslims and learn Islam from Muslims," said al-Akoum. "Quit disseminating all this false information, especially teaching your children, who are innocent now and then they're going to grow up and be a bigot like you."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.