The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a reported threat targeting a Minneapolis mosque as a hate crime.
On Friday, the Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center (AAIC) in Minneapolis received an online threat of violence targeting worshipers at the mosque. Under police direction, all weekend activities at the mosque were canceled. Minneapolis police later determined that the threat was not credible.
There have been more than 40 similar incidents targeting state mosques in the past three years and this is the 15th incident in 2024, with an estimated over $3 million in damages. Minnesota leads the nation in such hate incidents.
SEE: Minneapolis mosque and synagogue targeted in threats, vandalism | MPR News
Minneapolis mosque faces extremist threats, police boost security measures
“We condemn this reported threat targeting a faith community and urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “The Muslim community will not be intimidated by threats of violence and will instead continue practicing their faith.”
Hussein added that CAIR-Minnesota is working for expanding state funding to support the federal non-profit security grant to support community safety and increase safety and prevention efforts at states targeted non-profits including houses of worship.
He noted that yesterday, CAIR-MN condemned neo-Nazi antisemitic vandalism targeting a synagogue in Minneapolis.
SEE: CAIR-MN Condemns Neo-Nazi Antisemitic Vandalism Targeting Synagogue
Hussein asked houses of worship to utilize CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths.
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CONTACT: Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-MN Executive Director, CAIR-MN, Tel: (612) 406-0070, Email: jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, CAIR-MN Deputy Director, CAIR-MN, Tel: (612) 406-7183, Email: sadan@cair.com