Minnesota Mosques Receive Federal Aid to Improve Security Amid Rising Islamophobia
“The incident was a wake-up call for us,” said Imam Abdullahi Nur.
The May 12 vandalism caused an estimated $10,000 in damage—in addition to the cost of the security upgrades.
More than eight months later, “the community is still in shock,” Imam Abdullahi said.
The mosque received a boost in its security efforts, when it learned last fall that it had received a $150,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for nonprofit organizations “at high risk of a terrorist attack.”
During a four-week period last April and May, four mosques were targeted by arson and vandalism, including Masjid Omar Islamic Center and Masjid Al Rahma in Minneapolis, and As Sunnah and the Oromo American Tawhid Islamic Center in St. Paul.
As many as 11 Minnesota mosques have been damaged or defaced in the last 18 months, part of an unprecedented wave of attacks, said Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN).
As Sunnah, Dar Al Qalam Cultural Center, Masjid Al-Ansar Islamic Community Center, and the Ramadan Center each received $150,000. Dar Omar Al-Farooq was awarded $4,000.
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Fifteen Minnesota churches, synagogues, and other nonprofits also received the grants.
Muslim leaders say the grants are crucial to enhancing mosque security as Ramadan approaches in March. The funding will allow mosques to hire security guards, install cameras, train staff, and designate more secure entrances and exits, among other upgrades.
The changes “will make the community feel safe and supported when they come to the masjid,” said Sheikh Yusuf Abdulle, the executive director of the Islamic Association of North America.
CAIR-MN helped mosques navigate the application process last year; Mohamed said it’s unfortunate that only five received grants.
“Mosques are the places where our community feels safe and belonging. They are not only a place of worship but also for education, community gathering, and [a place where people should] feel safe,” he said.
Imam Mohammed Dukuly, president of Masjid Al-Ansar, said the mosque was attacked multiple times last year, incidents that were reported to law enforcement. He believes that played a role in the Minneapolis mosque receiving a $150,000 grant.
“It will significantly enhance our ability to ensure the safety and security of everyone who enters our doors,” he said in a news release.
Dar Al Qalam in Minneapolis has been hit by multiple incidents of vandalism, including a shooting that damaged the mosque’s window, said Executive Director Abdifatah Mursal.
He said the $150,000 grant will help purchase security cameras, hire a guard, fix a damaged door, and conduct security training for staff and community members.
Dar Omar Al-Farooq’s smaller grant was due to an error in its application, according to Salad Tuke, an executive at the mosque.
Not all vandalized mosques received the grant. Masjid Omar, Masjid Al Rahma, and the Tawhid Center missed out on this round of funding. Masjid Al Rahma in south Minneapolis was damaged by fire twice in 2023, and the Tawhid Center suffered significant damage after a fire was set on May 17, 2023. These mosque leaders told Sahan Journal that they had not applied for the grant because of the short notice and the extensive paperwork required.
The arson attacks on the Tawhid Center caused huge damage and “created fear and anxiety” among community members, Executive Director Muhammed Ambo said. He said the center is working with CAIR to apply when the next round of grant funding is announced.
Source: sahanjournal.com
