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String of mosque attacks in Minnesota raises hate crime fears
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    Tuesday April 25, 2023

     
    These surveillance images show a suspect who police believe started a fire in the bathroom of Masjid Omar Islamic Center inside 24 Somali Mall in south Minneapolis. (Courtesy of Minneapolis Police Department)


    Minneapolis, (HOL) - Two Minneapolis mosques were attacked in consecutive days, raising concerns over potential anti-Muslim hate crimes. The Masjid Omar Islamic Center and the Mercy Islamic Center were targeted, prompting community members and the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to urge law enforcement to investigate the possibility of anti-Muslim bias motives.

    Minnesota CAIR Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said in a statement, "Given past incidents targeting state mosques and Islamic institutions, we urge law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for these crimes."

    On Sunday evening, a man allegedly set a fire in a bathroom at the Masjid Omar Islamic Center. The suspect, described as a white man, entered the mosque carrying a container of flammable liquid before starting the fire. Worshippers quickly extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. The mosque in the 24 Somali Mall in the city's Ventura Village neighbourhood received prompt assistance from police and fire officials.

    The following day, Minneapolis firefighters responded to another fire at the Mercy Islamic Center, located near 27th Street East and Bloomington Avenue. Smoke was showing from the roof of the three-story building when emergency crews arrived. Firefighters found a fire on the top floor, evacuated the building, and extinguished the flames without them spreading to other floors. The building's structure was not compromised.

    Investigators from the Minneapolis Police Department are considering anti-Muslim bias as a potential motive in both incidents. Sgt. Garrett Parten stated, "Things like that are always considered, especially when it's related to a worship center." No arrests have been made, and the authorities seek the public's help in identifying the suspects.

    These attacks follow the recent vandalism of the Umatul Islam mosque in Minneapolis, where damages exceeded $50,000. The police closed the investigation due to insufficient evidence. The recent arson marks the eighth mosque targeted in Minnesota in recent months, setting an alarming record for both the state and the nation.

    In response to these incidents, CAIR is urging Muslim community members and Islamic institutions to adopt additional security measures. Minneapolis Council Member Jamal Osman has expressed support for the Muslim community, emphasizing their right to worship freely without fear of violence. Osman wrote on Twitter, "Everyone in this country has the right to worship freely without fear of violence. I would like to assure our community that we stand in solidarity and provide all the necessary support to increase safety for the community."
     

     





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