PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh police are looking for whoever splashed red paint on the front steps of a mosque a few hours before weekly worship.

Police said the vandal struck late Thursday or early Friday, which is the traditional day of worship. About 1,000 people attend weekly worship at the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.

"Of course we were surprised, just like anybody else, as to what actually was going on. Why would somebody do something like this to our house of God?" said Imam Abdusemih A. Tadese of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.

Imam Tadese said the mosque has been vandalized once before in its 15-year-history.

"I don't know what motivates somebody to do this," said Jeffery Brown, a neighbor. "On the other hand, we're aware this is an Islamic center, it's on their steps, it's not on the neighbors' steps."

Tadese said the timing of the vandalism would be similar to vandalizing a Christian church before Sunday morning services.

One woman, who asked not to be identified said others who live in the area are sickened by the red paint splashed outside the mosque.

"People are outraged and shocked about it because this is a very close community and we consider the people of the Islamic Center to be part of our community. The neighbors are supportive," she said.

"We're still baffled as to what actually is going on," Tadese said.