(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 12/6/23) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Minnesota) today urged officials in Brown County and the state of Wisconsin to conduct a prompt and comprehensive investigation into the death of Abdullahi Abdi-Mohamed, a Muslim incarceree who died in a Brown County cell on Oct. 29, 2023.
Abdullahi Abdi-Mohamed passed away under unclear circumstances while in custody, with no updates provided to his family about the cause of death or the events leading up to it. CAIR-MN is demanding immediate action to bring clarity and justice in this troubling case.
“We are deeply troubled by the lack of transparency and communication from Brown County officials regarding Abdullahi Abdi-Mohamed’s untimely death,” said Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-Minnesota. “His family and the community deserve immediate and complete answers. We call for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the truth and ensure accountability. This situation raises serious concerns about the treatment of Muslim incarcerees and the protection of their rights.”
BACKGROUND:
The family of Abdullahi Abdi-Mohamed, along with community members, have voiced their distress and confusion to CAIR-MN regarding the circumstances of his death in custody. They seek a prompt and thorough investigation to determine the cause of death and the actions taken by Brown County officials during his detention.
Abdullahi Abdi-Mohamed was arrested on October 27, 2023, booked into the Brown County Jail, and died on October 29, 2023, while in custody. His father confirmed that the family was unaware of any medical issues that could have led to his sudden death just two days after his arrest.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers an educational toolkit, called “A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help correctional officers and administrators gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
SEE: A Correctional Institution’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Director of Advocacy Osman Ahmed at 612-459-0334, o-ahmed@cair.com, or CAIR-Minnesota Executive Director Jaylani Hussein at 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com