The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for an investigation of a possible bias motive for a fire that broke out Friday, September 5, after Friday noon prayers (Jummah) at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington.
Security cameras and eyewitnesses alerted mosque leaders to a large fire behind the building. A storage shed near the mosque’s sports area was completely engulfed in flames. Eyewitnesses reported seeing what appeared to be a white male running to and from the area before and after the fire. Surveillance video also shows an unidentified suspect leaving the scene.
Local fire officials have not yet determined the cause or motive of the fire, but mosque leaders suspect possible arson. 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.
“This incident has brought a great deal of fear and anxiety to Dar Al Farooq worshipers and the broader Muslim community,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “Given the history of attacks against this mosque and others across Minnesota, it is imperative that authorities immediately launch a full investigation into a possible bias motive.”
Hussein urged community leaders to increase security protocols for all mosques, particularly since the mass shooting earlier at the 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.
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.
END
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; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com