SUNRISE, Fla. -- Members of a South Florida mosque are calling on local and federal authorities to investigate what they believe is a hate crime.

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The Islamic Center of South Florida reported that vandals spray-painted the walls of a mosque under construction in Sunrise with the words "Osama Binleden."

Altaf Ali, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the vandalism was discovered on Monday.

"When I saw this, I said to myself, 'Here is another example of the ignorance within our community,'" Ali said.

Ali said he is asking for additional police patrols outside Islamic institutions in South Florida.

"Unfortunately, we've seen these kinds of incidents happen over and over," he said. "Last year we had five incidents of vandalism at the Islamic center in South Florida. This year, actually two weeks ago, there was another incident involving vandalism at the Islamic center in Hollywood. Vandals spray-painted graffiti on the walls. So, of course, this is very disturbing to us because this is a place of worship. I think Muslims should have the freedoms to express their faith as any other individuals in this community."

NBC 6's Ari Odzer reported that the center is under construction and is expected to completed in about four to six months. It will be one of the largest Islamic centers in Florida.