(ST. LOUIS, MO, 8/2/23) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MO) today welcomed an almost 16-year sentence for a man who set a fire in 2020 that destroyed an Islamic center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Nicholas John Proffitt was sentenced to 191 months in prison on hate crime and arson charges for setting fire to the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center on April 24, 2020. About a dozen people were inside the mosque at the time but escaped unharmed. The fire made the building unsuitable for use as a center.
SEE: Man sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for Islamic Center arson
https://www.kfvs12.com/2023/08/02/man-sentenced-nearly-16-years-prison-islamic-center-arson/
“We welcome this strong sentence and hope it will send a message of deterrence to all those who might consider turning their bigoted views into violent actions,” said CAIR-MO Board Chair Yasir Ali.
Ali noted CAIR-MO last year welcomed Proffitt’s guilty plea in the case.
He said Washington, D.C., based CAIR urges all houses of worship to take security precautions using its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet. The advice in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to religious institutions of all faiths.
The booklet may be viewed at:
https://www.cair.com/mosque-and-community-safety/
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali, Yasir.ali@cair-mo.org, 314-722-6116; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com