(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 9/8/22) – Tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 9), the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will hold a news conference with leadership of the Islamic Center of St. Cloud, Minn., to call for stepped-up police patrols following targeted vandalism of the St. Cloud Islamic Center mosque.
On Thursday at 1 a.m., two suspects – a white male and female – allegedly broke into the St. Cloud Islamic Center’s downtown location. They are seen breaking doors and entering the Imam’s (religious leader) office and were later apprehended by the St. Cloud Police Department.
At the news conference, CAIR-Minnesota will call for increased security for mosques in St. Cloud and statewide.
WHAT: Community Response to Attack St. Cloud Islamic Center
WHEN: Friday, September 9, 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: Islamic Center of St. Cloud, 375 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
LIVE-STREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIR.Minnesota/
NOTE: This is second recent attack on a mosque in the span of a week after Tawfiq Islamic Center in Minneapolis was attacked Sunday night. This latest attack is the fifth such incident targeting a mosque in Minnesota in 2022 – the highest number of attacks in the state’s history.
Earlier this year, CAIR-MN joined other faith and community to respond to sentencing in the 2017 bombing of Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR is also urging houses of worship to take extra security precautions using CAIR “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-MN and its national office in Washington, D.C., have responded to a number of recent incidents targeting mosques and other Islamic institutions in Minnesota and nationwide.
SEE: CAIR-MN to Respond to Attack on Minneapolis Mosque, Seek Info from Community
CAIR-MN to Respond to St. Paul Mosque Vandalism, Call for Info from Community
CAIR-Minnesota Calls on FBI to Possible Probe Bias Motive for Burglary, Trespass at Muslim Cemetery
Video: CAIR-New Jersey Responds to Possible Bias-Motivated Attack Targeting Mosque
Video: CAIR Welcomes More Than 12-Year Sentence for 2020 Drive-By Shooting at Indianapolis Mosque
Video: CAIR-Connecticut Seeks Public’s Help in Identifying Mosque Vandal
Video: CAIR-Oregon Condemns Attempted Mosque Arson, Urges Community Support
Video: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Va. Mosque Vandalism
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-206-3360, jhussein@cair.com