On Tuesday, September 30, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a noon press conference to call for an investigation of a possible bias motive for a fire at Al Hikma Mosque in Minneapolis.
On the evening of Monday, September 29, at approximately 5:30 p.m., security cameras at Al Hikma Mosque (116 E 32nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55408) recorded an unidentified individual leaving the area near the basement entrance. Moments later, a fire erupted at the doorway leading to the closed-off basement entrance. The mosque had a full daycare which is in access.
PHOTO OF THE FIRE.
Thanks to the brick construction of the building, the flames were unable to spread, and the fire was quickly contained. No injuries were reported. The circumstances surrounding the fire raise serious concerns about potential targeting of the mosque and the Muslim community.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 30, 12 p.m.
WHERE: Outside Al Hikma Mosque, 116 E 32nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
CONTACT: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com, Suleiman Adan, Deputy Director of CAIR-MN, 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com
“It appears once again, a Minnesota mosque has been targeted. We are deeply concerned about the rise in arsons and attempted attacks on our houses of worship,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “Authorities must investigate this fire with urgency and examine whether bias or hate was a motivating factor.”
Hussein urged community leaders to increase security protocols for all mosques, particularly in light of the recent mass shooting earlier this month at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
He noted that earlier this month, CAIR-MN welcomed the guilty plea of Jackie Rahm Little, 36, for his role in terrorizing the Muslim community with multiple mosque arsons.
CAIR-MN similarly called for a hate crime investigation of a fire at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington. Dar Al Farooq was previously targeted in 2017, when armed domestic terrorists from Illinois carried out a bombing attack on the mosque.
Over the past three years, Minnesota has faced the worst level of mosque attacks in the nation, with more than 40 incidents and over $3 million in damages. Arson has been on the rise, with six separate incidents in recent years, including three serious arsons.
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTS: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Director, CAIR-MN, 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com