(ST. LOUIS, MO, 12/14/2022) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MO) today welcomed a guilty plea by a man who set a fire in 2020 that destroyed an Islamic center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Nicholas John Proffitt, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday to 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: Guilty plea on hate, arson charges in Islamic center fire
https://apnews.com/article/fires-crime-arson-cape-girardeau-36c78f62370a42aea20923be8ae2a41a
“Attacks on houses of worship are despicable crimes that must be addressed appropriately by law enforcement authorities,” said CAIR-MO Board Chair Yasir Ali. “We welcome the guilty plea in this case as an important step toward justice for the Muslim community of Cape Girardeau.”
Ali noted CAIR-MO called for an investigation of a possible bias motive in the arson.
SEE: CAIR-Missouri Calls for Probe of Possible Bias Motive for ‘Suspicious’ Fire at Cape Girardeau Mosque
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