Maryland Mosque Bomb Threat Must Be Probed as Hate Crime: Muslim Advocacy Group
Officials with the Idara Jaferia Islamic Center in Burtonsville, Maryland, say police came to the mosque during Friday congregational prayers (Jummah) and said someone had called in a bomb threat. The mosque was evacuated.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the United States’ largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, on Saturday called on state and federal law enforcement authorities – including the FBI – to investigate the case as a hate crime.
“Because of this alleged threat to a house of worship, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to bring hate crime charges against the perpetrator when they are apprehended,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “We thank the Montgomery County Police Department for its swift and professional action in this case.”
The Washington, D.C., based civil rights group is also urging religious institutions nationwide to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.” The advice in the booklet is applicable to institutions of all faiths.
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This incident comes as Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians across the country report a surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate since the escalation of violence in Palestine last month. Last week, CAIR released new data indicating a 216% surge in complaints, including reported incidents of bias, reported to its offices since the start of the crisis on October 7th.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has encouraged those experiencing similar acts of aggression, racism, and Islamophobia to call their local CAIR offices and report these incidents immediately.
Source: Cair.com
