(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 10/7/25) – Later today, 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 press conference to repeat its call for an investigation of a possible bias motive for a second arson attempt at Al Hikma Mosque in Minneapolis.
Mosque officials say they believe the same person who allegedly previously tried to burn the mosque came back and broke into the facility, only to be stopped by a worshiper. The suspect, who allegedly threatened to burn the mosque, was reportedly apprehended by police.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7, 5 p.m. CT
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
“City, state and federal law enforcement authorities must take these disturbing incidents seriously and conduct a full and transparent investigation into a possible bias motive,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein.
BACKGROUNDER:
On the evening of September 29, security cameras at Al Hikma Mosque 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. At that time, authorities, without investigation, declared the fire “accidental.”
PHOTO OF THE FIRE.
CAIR-MN is urging 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 last 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