A 29-year-old Long Island man was arrested Thursday after allegedly attempting to set fire to the Young Israel of West Hempstead in the middle of the night, using a burning lawn sign to try to ignite the shul’s entrance before setting nearby bushes ablaze.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. Thursday at the shul, located at 630 Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead, Nassau County.

According to Nassau County Police and a statement issued by the shul’s security team, the suspect, identified as Azzm Khan, 29, of Lakeview, allegedly attempted to force his way into the building, striking the glass entrance doors with a bat. The doors withstood the attack.

The suspect then allegedly took a lawn sign from the surrounding area, set it on fire, and attempted to push the burning sign underneath the shul’s entrance doors in an apparent effort to ignite the building.

When that attempt failed, he allegedly placed the burning sign in bushes alongside the building, causing them to catch fire. The flames subsequently went out without spreading to the shul.

In a particularly disturbing detail, the shul’s security team reported that the suspect appeared to be receiving instructions from another individual over his cellphone, which was on speakerphone during the incident.

Police have not publicly confirmed that detail or indicated whether another individual is being investigated.

According to News 12 Long Island, police were initially responding to a separate criminal mischief incident at Hall’s Pond Park on Hempstead Avenue, where a witness reported seeing a man damage the side mirror of a Nassau County Police Department auxiliary vehicle.

While officers searched for the suspect, another witness reported seeing someone starting a fire near the shul.

Police responded to Young Israel of West Hempstead, where they discovered a bush burning and identified Khan as the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Khan has been charged with two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree arson, and fifth-degree arson.

The shul’s security committee notified members of the congregation Thursday morning, describing the incident as serious and urging heightened vigilance.

“This is a serious reminder of why we do what we do,” the security team wrote. “We ask everyone to remain especially vigilant, maintain heightened situational awareness, and report anything suspicious immediately.”

The congregation said its security personnel responded to the scene after being notified by their security company, and detectives subsequently obtained surveillance footage of the incident.

The shul’s security committee is coordinating with Nassau County Police and Homeland Security and plans to review existing security measures.

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks said she had been in direct contact with Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder regarding the attack.

“The Nassau County Police Department is working alongside other law enforcement agencies to protect the congregation and surrounding community,” Nicks said.

Yisroel Szpigiel, first vice president of Young Israel of West Hempstead, expressed alarm over the incident, telling News 12 that although the neighborhood has experienced minor vandalism in previous years, nothing comparable had occurred.

“There’s no place for hate in our town. Nobody should have to endure something like this,” Szpigiel said. “Whether it’s our shul or any of the churches or any of the organizations in the neighborhood. We’ll have to be here to protect each other.”

Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the attack or announced whether hate crime charges are being considered.

Police said there are no known active threats to the community, although the investigation remains ongoing.

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