CAIR-MN Seeks Probe of Suspicious Fire at Minneapolis Mosque

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a suspicious fire outside a mosque in South Minneapolis.

On Tuesday, August 21, a car owned by a Somali Muslim parked outside the Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center was set on fire. Mosque leaders say that video surveillance shows that the arsonist spent an hour throwing burning material in the direction of the mosque before setting the car on fire.

"In light of recent hate incidents nationwide, we urge law enforcement officials to review the surveillance video and determine whether the mosque was the intended target of the arson," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya.

She noted that in 2006, arsonists set fire to the same mosque, causing smoke damage and burning religious texts stored there.

CAIR has seen an increase in hate incidents targeting American Muslims in the aftermath of the deadly attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Recent incidents included shots fired at a mosque in Morton Grove, Ill., an acid bomb thrown at an Islamic school in Lombard, Ill., a mosque burned to the ground in Joplin, Mo., vandals spraying an Oklahoma mosque with paintballs, pig legs thrown at a mosque site in California, and a firebomb thrown at a Muslim family's home in Panama City, Fla.

SEE: String of Attacks Threaten U.S. Muslims During Ramadan
http://tinyurl.com/8shzgvj

CAIR: Mosque Attacks Common Nationwide
http://tinyurl.com/84l49vh

IL: Mosque Shooter Barred from Leaving State
http://tinyurl.com/c7rz5um

CAIR is urging mosques and houses of worship of all faiths nationwide to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://tinyurl.com/yz9e2mz

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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