Sep 15, 2016 - The spike in cases in June and July occurred after the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida. The
Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Ave S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003 Tele (202) 488-8787 Fax (202) 488-0833
[email protected] |www.cair.com
Targeting Mosques (January-September 15, 2016) (This document is preliminary and has not yet been edited for final publication. Cases may be added or deleted as new information becomes available.)
As of mid-September, 2016 is the second worst year on record for bias incidents targeting mosques. To date, there have been a total of 55 cases in 2016. Of these, an alarming majority have been violent in tone. Below are two tables. Table one illustrates the monthly count and type for mosque incidents around the country. The second table offers a comparison with previous years. The spike in cases in June and July occurred after the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida. The majority of the 2016 physical assaults also occurred in the wake of that horrific event. Of the three incidents that occurred in September, it is notable that two were on September 11, and one in the very early hours of September 12. Table 1: 2016 Mosque Incidents 1 DDV Harassment January 3 3 February 1 2 March 1 April 1 1 May 1 June 1 3 July 4 1 August 2 September 3 Total
16
11
Intimidation 1 1 1 2 8 1 2
16
Zoning 2
Physical Assault
1
1
1 2
6
2 3
6
Total 8 4 2 5 3 14 10 6 3 55
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It is noted that the categories differ slightly from those contained in the CAIR and UC Berkeley’s 2016 Islamophobia report, Combatting Fear, which covered 2013-2015. The rise in the number of violent physical attacks on individuals at a mosque necessitated the new category of “Physical Assault” for these cases to be evident. 1
Table 2: 2009 – September 2016 Mosque Incidents Year DDV Harassment Intimidation 2016 18 11 17 2015 31 11 31 2014 11 2 4 2013 13 2 4 2012 14 3 3 2011 13 3 4 2010 18 10 10 2009 10 1 0
Zoning 8 6*** 6 4**** 9 2 15 2
Physical Assault* 5
Total 55** 79 23 23 29 22 53 13
* category added in 2016 **data current through 9/15/2016 *** updated to include a newly identified zoning case which occurred in 2015 [Lexington Neb.] **** updated to include a newly identified zoning case which occurred in 2013 [Des Plaines, Ill.]
Key Category Damage-DestructionVandalism (DDV) Intimidation Physical Assault Harassment Zoning
Definition Incidents involving property damage, such as arson, graffiti, etc. Actions apparently intended to cause fear in those targeted. Includes, for example, threats of violence, armed anti-Islam demonstrations, and placing severed pig’s heads on mosque property. Incident in which an individual or individuals were physically attacked on mosque premises or as they were leaving the mosque. Verbal or physical behavior that involves Islamophobic slurs Islamophobic issues raised during any proceedings or public hearings about the construction/expansion of a mosque. An incident is included in this category only if bias is clearly identified in zoning proceedings.
2016 Case Summaries January Basking Ridge, N.J.; The Bernards Township Planning Board passed a resolution to finalize the denial of a mosque proposed by Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. Update: The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the decision by Bernards Township authorities to deny a Muslim community's application to build a mosque in the township. Update: The Planning Board voted 5-0 on April 19 to adopt a resolution in which it will give the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge 90 days to file a revised site plan that would attempt to address issues that led the board to deny the proposed mosque. Update August: A federal lawsuit over the township's denial of a proposed mosque starting is heading to mediation in September. [Zoning] http://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/basking-ridge-finalizes-denial-islamic-mosque and http://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/basking-ridge-votes-no-islamic-mosque and http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2016/03/dept_of_justice_to_investigate_denial_of_mosque_in. html and http://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/proposed-mosque-in-libertycorner-to-get-second-chance/article_6e69b073-5e6c-50fb-816f-702beaf5afe9.html and 2
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2016/08/22/bernards-islamicsociety-headed-mediation/89114170/ Bayonne, N.J.; A group protested a proposed Muslim community center in Bayonne. A flier for a meeting of residents opposed to the community center featured a Sept. 11 logo with the word "remember" in block letters. One protestor suggested a Catholic church be built at the site instead of a Muslim community center The city zoning board is scheduled to meeting to decide whether or not to approve construction. In response to the protests, the board postponed its decision. Anti-mosque protesters held signs that read “If the Mosque Comes the Mayor Go’s,” while others just read “Trump.” More recently, “STOP THE MOSQUE” and “SAVE BAYONNE” signs can be seen around the city of 65,000 residents. Update June: the zoning board has postponed a meeting about the mosque repeatedly, and no new date has been set. [Zoning] http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/01/bayonne_residents_against_planned_islamic_center_t.h tml#incart_river_index and https://www.buzzfeed.com/talalansari/muslims-praying-in-basementfighting-for-new-mosque?utm_term=.ngVoE1OyV#.cjJJ9YDQB Titusville, Fla.; A machete wielding man broke “several cameras, lights and windows” at the Islamic Society of Florida Masjid Al-Munin Mosque. The man also left three pounds of bacon by the facility’s front door. Michael Scott Wolfe was later charged with criminal mischief to a mosque. [DDV] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZN6Ty5JuqM and http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey/89758-fire-damages-atlantic-city-mosqueChicago, Ill.; A website masquerading as that of the Islamic Center of Wheaton while promoting Islamist ideologies and advocating violent acts has been determined to be operated by a third party who is not affiliated with the mosque. Law enforcement officials are trying to determine who is behind the website. [Harassment] http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wheaton-islamic-center-website-faked20160111-story.html Omaha, Neb.; A vandal placed bacon on the exterior door handle of the Islamic Center of Omaha. Two individuals also threw rocks at the door. [DDV] http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/vandals-leave-raw-bacon-on-door-of-the-islamiccenter/article_ac65f49e-ba40-11e5-9cff-432567a4ddeb.html South Milwaukie, Wis.; The Christian Civil Liberties Union expressed opposition to the construction of a new mosque by Masjid Al-Hudad in South Milwaukie. In the meeting, Bob Braun of the Christian Civil Liberties Union said, “There's going to be, I predict, bloodshed one of these years coming up.” [Harassment] http://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/planned-mosque-faces-opposition Baltimore, Md; Fox News, Daily Caller, Breitbart News, and Washington Times smeared the Islamic Society of Baltimore by accusing it of having ties with “radical Islamic groups,” prior to a planned visit by Obama, his first to a mosque during his presidency. Notable individuals making these statements included Zuhdi Jasser and Herman Cain. [Harassment] http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/02/01/right-wing-media-smear-mosque-before-obamasvis/208291
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Mankato, Minn.; The sign of the Islamic Center in downtown Mankato was vandalized. Someone pulled off a portion of it and left it in the street. [DDV] http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/brazen-vandal-damages-islamic-centersign/article_3e5aa498-6fa5-11e6-8b57-5bb2148e964b.html February San Marin, Calif.; A proposal for a Muslim mosque and community center in San Martin is stirring politically and culturally motivated resistance from some residents. For the Tea Party-spawned GilroyMorgan Hill Patriots, the Cordoba Center poses an existential threat. They fear the two-story mosque planned for a 16-acre steppe of San Martin will bring Islam one step closer to world domination. At a meeting on the mosque, admissions of fighting the mosque for religious reasons among protestors elicited claps, shouts and jeers from the crowd. They called Islam destructive, incapable of coexisting with other faiths. One man suggested that a mosque would incite terrorism in unincorporated South County. A man and a woman uttered thinly veiled threats about how rabbit hunters might accidentally shoot kids running around the mosque. [Intimidation] http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2016/03/23/revived-south-county-mosque-project-stokesislamophobia/ Seattle, Wash.; A Washington man was arrested for property damage, assault, and malicious harassment in accordance with Washington’s hate crime statue. He approached and asked two men in the parking lot of the Idriss Mosque where they were from, then argued with them when they said they were from the United States. He threatened them with a baseball bat and a pellet gun, smashing a rearview mirror on a parked car, while in possession of an additional stolen firearm. [DDV] http://q13fox.com/2016/02/04/man-with-gun-arrested-outside-seattle-mosque/ Baltimore, Md.; Maryland Delegate David Vogt will be introducing a bill targeting the tax-exempt status of ‘radical’ mosques. His bill, The Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, was drafted to “restrict and revoke” the tax-exempt status of any “mosque or organization that is found, through cooperation with [Department of Homeland Security], to have direct or indirect ties to terrorism,” Vogt’s office said. [Harassment] http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/02/exclusive-maryland-delegate-tointroduce-bill-targeting-terror-tied-mosques/ Palos Park, Ill.; A flyer was circulated against the proposal to turn an old church into a mosque. The church building has been zoned under a special-use permit as a house of worship for more than 50 years. The flyer, titled “Save Palos!!!!!!!!” contains warnings such as: "-Large amounts of traffic...Large Muslim families moving in.....Women wearing burkas..... People will move out.....property values will decrease." [Harassment] http://abc7chicago.com/religion/flyers-circulating-in-sw-suburbs-fighting-newmosque/1184079/ March Omaha, Neb.; The Islamic Center of Omaha received an email threat after the terrorist attacks in Brussels. The message read: “your so called peaceful religion just killed more innocent people. we think its is now time to fight back starting with you. believe it. see you in hell.” [Intimidation] http://www.omaha.com/islamic-center-of-omaha-threatened-in-wake-of-brusselsattacks/article_d4128ae2-f2c2-11e5-b9a4-83d523981e68.html?mode=jqm
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Seattle, Wash.; A Sikh temple in Spokane was vandalized by a man who “mistakenly thought the temple was a mosque” and that the house of worship was affiliated with ISIS. The man broke into the temple and defaced and ripped pages from the Sikh faith’s holy text. [DDV] http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/03/spokanes-sikh-temple-vandalized-holy-bookdesecrat/ April Dallas, Texas.; Anti-mosque group, the Bureau of American Islamic Relations, showed up in camouflage, carrying guns and an American flag to protest against a Nation of Islam mosque, which it accused of “promoting violence against Americans openly and publicly.” “We cannot stand by while all these different Anti American, Arab radical Islamists team up with Nation of Islam/Black Panthers and White Anti-American Anarchist groups, joining together in the goal of destroying our Country and killing innocent people to gain Dominance through fear!” the event invite said. [Intimidation] http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/04/tense-anti-mosque-protest-draws-armed-demonstratorsin-south-dallas.html/ Culpeper, Va.; The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors denied application for a pump-and-haul sewage permit at the site of the Islamic Center of Culpeper. The three supervisors who supported the Islamic Center’s application said they thought the denial was motivated by religion. Supervisor Sue Hansohn said, “Most of the calls and emails I have had were about religion, not pump-and-haul,” she said. “This is the law and we were elected to follow the law. Our policy doesn’t give us the right to turn someone down for religion.” Mohammad Nawabe said, "[Board members] say we received a lot of emails a lot of phone calls saying they don't want Islamic Center of Culpeper over here because of something in Europe." Since 1995, Culpeper County has approved 18 of 19 applications for pump and haul systems. [Zoning] http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/culpeper/culpeper-rejects-permitfor-islamic-prayer-center/article_d363df98-fb40-11e5-ab8a-0be7a162989d.html and http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/virginia/culpeper-co-denies-islamic-centers-permitrequest/125232285 and http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/culpeper/before-denying-islamiccenter-culpeper-had-approved-of-last-applications/article_5f609527-2af8-5f88-a8e2735b1804ab37.html Wichita, Kan.; A west Wichita mosque has been vandalized with graffiti spray-painted onto the side of the building and a fence. In 2011 it was the site of a $150,000 arson. The spray-painted symbols include stars and pitchforks. [DDV] http://www.kansas.com/news/local/crime/article71224502.html Queens, N.Y.; Michael Voyard walked into the Jamaica Muslim Center, and after shouting anti-Muslim slurs, he began randomly punching people who were on their knees in mid prayer Tuesday including a 69-year-old man and Akim Islam. [Physical Assault] http://pix11.com/2016/04/22/nypd-investigatesassault-inside-queens-mosque-as-possible-hate-crime/ and http://qns.com/story/2016/04/26/jamaicaman-who-allegedly-went-on-a-violent-rampage-at-a-mosque-and-stripped-naked-afterwards-is-out-onsupervised-release/ Marshfield, Wisc.; Leaders of the Marshfield mosque have held several seminars to teach residents about the Islamic faith and its tenets. When they promoted their most recent informational talk about Islam for non-Muslims, critics posted dozens of offensive comments on the mosque's Facebook site. "You (obscenity) Muslims are butchers," one wrote. "Go the (obscenity) back to where you came from,"
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read another. [Harassment] http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/story/news/2016/06/10/antiislam-posts-rattle-local-muslims/83246234/ May Houston, Texas; The threat to the Islamic Da'wah Center in Houston was posted May 6 on the Facebook page of a “Stop Islamization of Texas” hate rally hosted by “Heart of Texas.” The message stated: “Need to Blow this place up. We don’t need this sh*t in Texas.” Another person posted: “i [sic] agree.” Another person wrote: “Let’s make them change there [sic] minds. Hunting season is coming.” During the rally many protestors waved Confederate flags. One of them said “We feel that Texas, our great state, and the United States is being threatened by the influx of Islam." Another woman was caught on camera shouting, “White power! Fascist and proud!” [Intimidation] https://www.cair.com/images/press_releases/Texas.jpg and http://www.houstonpress.com/news/hategroup-planning-islamic-library-protest-totally-doesnt-think-theyre-a-hate-group-8393815 and http://cw39.com/2016/05/21/opposing-protests-face-off-outside-islamic-dawah-center-in-downtownhouston/#ooid=lpeDVuMzE6MXsS7yzgJEAxJ--Lfn3LLr and https://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/whitepower-screaming-anti-muslim-racists-outnumbered-5-to-1-by-texas-counter-protesters/ Mukilteo, Wash.; For the past two months, the city has been embroiled in controversy over plans for construction of a mosque, the Islamic Center of Mukilteo. An anonymous postcard was mailed citywide telling of plans for the mosque. This month, flyers with the words “Ban Islam from America” were posted at 3920 Harbour Pointe Blvd., the site of the planned mosque. A U.S. flag was placed nearby. [Harassment] http://www.heraldnet.com/news/meeting-hopes-to-calm-concerns-over-mukilteomosque/ Golden, Colo.; The Golden Police Department and Joint Terrorism Task Force were investigating a series of threatening emails sent to a member of the Islamic Center of Golden. The member recently received an email from a person whom he had invited to the facility to learn more about Islam. The email stated in part, "In my pockets I carry two extra magazines~ even so I would run out of bullets before you ran out of Muslims. This is why I carry two knives and a collapsible baton as well." [Intimidation] http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/golden-police-investigate-threatening-emailssent-to-mosque June Denver, Colo.; The Soldiers of Odin, an anti-Muslim vigilante group with roots in Europe, is now targeting mosques in the United States with “patrols” meant to curb Islamic extremism and radicalism. SOO deployed five members of its group to support the “right to free speech” of a lone protester who frequently demonstrates in front of the building. The protester claimed the mosque was full of Islamic extremists, so the group went on what it deemed, a “fact-finding/recon mission.” Four members entered the mosque and questioned the imam, asking about the mosque’s stance on Sharia Law and whether the congregation collaborates with radical jihadi groups. One person stood guard outside. “We achieved our objective,” one of the group’s members, Hal Eugene Halvorson, posted on Facebook. “We let them know we are here in Colorado, our eyes and ears are on them, and that we will not tolerate Radicalism and/or Sharia law anywhere in Colorado.” [Intimidation] http://www.vocativ.com/327191/soldiers-of-odin-mosques/
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Raeford, N.C.; The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office arrested U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Russell Thomas Langford after an incident at Masjid Al Madina where a man left open packages of bacon at the entrance, threatened to kill members of the mosque, and attempted to run them down with his SUV. [Intimidation] http://wncn.com/2016/06/10/incident-at-hoke-county-mosque-possible-hate-crimesparks-security-concerns/ Fort Worth, Texas; A woman in an SUV came to the Islamic Association of Tarrant County and threatened several people. She said to get out of America and that someone was coming back to kill them. [Intimidation] http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2016/06/muslim-leaders-condemn-orlandoattack-and-redouble-security-measures-in-dallas-area.html/ Chicago, Ill.; An email to the Islamic Center of Wheaton said: “Your tactics are well known by now. You accommodate local opinion until you are large enough to overcome the locals. Then you strike.” It continued, “Americans fight back with a vengeance.” [Harassment] http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/06/13/threat-reported-against-chicago-area-mosque-muslim-leaderssay/ Chicago, Ill.; The Islamic Center of Naperville received a hostile phone call. [Harassment] http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/06/13/threat-reported-against-chicago-area-mosque-muslim-leaderssay/ and http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-islamiccenter-backlash-st-0617-20160616-story.html Dearborn, Mich.; A social media threat was made to the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. The tweet said, "We must execute the Muslim scum. Full on eradication." [Intimidation] http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/158720718-story Orlando, Fla.; The Husseini Islamic Center in Sanford was vandalized with graffiti. The spray painted hashtag #StopTheHate was discovered on the building’s exterior. [DDV] https://www.buzzfeed.com/talalansari/an-islamic-center-near-orlando-wasvandalized?utm_term=.rn8BZqXPv#.iw4LmKRZ8 Fort Pierce, Fla.; People on Facebook threatened to "lock the doors when they are inside--- and burn this place to the ground." A social media petition against the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce “Close the Mosque” is being shared all over the country, with many threatening to burn it down. [Intimidation] http://cbs12.com/news/local/threats-of-violence-against-omar-mateens-mosque-escalate Bronx, N.Y.; Atique Ashraf was hospitalized after being attacked outside a mosque in Parkchester. "Someone punched me in my back and I flopped down to the ground," Ashraf said. [Physical Violence] http://bronx.news12.com/news/muslim-man-attacked-outside-parkchester-mosque-1.11936762 Queens, N.Y.; A 14-year-old boy assaulted Mohamed Rasheed Khan as he left the Center for Islamic Studies, a Jamaica Ave. mosque. Khan suffered facial fractures and other serious injuries during the assault. [Physical Violence] http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/teen-arrested-queenshate-crime-admits-playing-knockout-article-1.2680345 Sunrise, Fla.; Irina Bihary was arrested by Sunrise Police after she allegedly made several verbal threats against the Islamic Foundation of South Florida. Two people saw Bihary enter a prayer room and begin to tell witnesses that they were all going to die. “I can’t stand this place,” she told them, according to 7
the report. “I can’t wait to knock it down. I don’t care if we all die here today and if everything blows up, we are all going to die anyways.” [Intimidation] http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/06/20/womanarrested-after-making-bomb-threat-at-sunrise-mosque/ Fort Pierce, Fla.; 200 bikers on Sunday repeatedly circled the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce. Bikers from around Florida converged in St. Lucie County to show they do not fear terrorism, said Lewis Smith, a retired Marine sergeant who was part of the group. "We stand united against those willing to destroy our country and what we stand for," he said. [Intimidation] http://www.tcpalm.com/news/special/orlando-shooting/motorcyclists-from-around-state-hadpatriotic-ride-sunday-around-fort-pierce-mosque-where-orlando--3-384595831.html West Chester township, Ohio; Luke Michael Roberts was arrested after he entered the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, disrupted prayer and shouted “Jesus is Lord.” He tried to take someone’s cellphone and told the victim that he was a police officer. [Harassment] http://www.wcpo.com/news/localnews/butler-county/west-chester/pd-man-disrupted-prayer-impersonated-police-officer-at-westchester-mosque Tompkinsville, N.Y.; A man was arrested for storming into the Albanian Islamic Cultural and threatening to kill Muslims, as well as violence against its imam, police sources said. He said, “You f—ing Muslims, I’m going to kill you. This is not the end, you’re going to hear about me. I’m going to cut you balls off, this is not the end.” He then allegedly picked up a pipe and threatened violence against the mosque's imam. [Intimidation] http://pix11.com/2016/06/24/man-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-to-killmuslims-at-staten-island-mosque/ July Tampa, Fla.; The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed arson was the cause of a fire at the Islamic Education Center in the Town 'N Country area. Investigators appear to have found a possible suspect, as yet unnamed. [DDV] http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/fire/twotampa-area-mosque-fires-ruled-arson/2290569 Fort Pierce, Fla.; Taylor Anthony Mazzanti attacked a member of the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce in its parking lot and then yelled at him to "go back to your country." The victim was wearing his religious clothing at the time of the battery. "The religious clothing was a long white shirt that goes down below the victim's knees and … is not common clothing worn by the majority of citizens of St. Lucie County. (It) indicates the victim is different in religion, possible ancestry and possible ethnicity." [Physical Assault] http://www.tcpalm.com/news/crime/st-lucie-county/port-st-lucie-man-charged-in-beating-at-mosquerearrested-could-face-life-in-prison-39cf3487-2a2d-1b-389886651.html Houston, Texas; Three masked assailants ambushed, stabbed and shot Dr. Arslan Tajammul as he was about to enter Madrasah Islamiah Mosque. [Physical Assault] http://nypost.com/2016/07/03/3-menambush-doctor-outside-houston-mosque/ Brooklyn, N.Y.; Two Muslim teenagers were viciously beaten outside Muslim Community Center of Brooklyn. The assailant screamed, “You fucking terrorists,” at the 16 and 17-year-old victims during the attack. Christopher Vallaro was arrested for the crime. [Physical Assault] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/muslim-teens-brutally-beaten-outside-brooklyn-
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mosque-a7118181.html and http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/suspect-turns-beatingmuslim-teens-article-1.2701187 College Station, Texas; An individual opened fire at the Islamic Community of Bryan-College Station. No one was injured but there were multiple bullet holes and the front glass door was shattered. [DDV] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gunshots-texas-mosque-collegestation_us_577ea921e4b0c590f7e87eef Boca Raton, Fla.; Palm Beach County removed the Islamic Center of Boca Raton as a polling center for the Florida primary elections, citing about 50 complaints including threats of violence, from people who don’t want to vote in a mosque. A quick search of social media and right-wing blogs shows that there was outrage and allegations of a Muslim conspiracy from the Islamophobic set over the news that the mosque would serve as a polling place. One local resident who was urging others to call and complain wrote in a Facebook post that it was a sign of “the killing tentacles of the White House’s sharia compliance.” [Intimidation] http://counton2.com/ap/polling-site-moved-from-florida-mosque-aftercomplaints/ and http://fusion.net/story/325239/florida-mosque-removed-polling-place/ Tucson, Ariz.; An unknown suspect set fire to a recycling bin outside of the Islamic Center of Tucson. No one was hurt, though about 30 people were inside the ICT at the time. No other receptacles were targeted — a fact that indicates the fire was intentional. [DDV] http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/cair-asks-law-enforcement-to-investigate-arson-incidentoutside-tucson-mosque-8457026 Kingston, R.I.; A window was smashed and someone sprayed "Muhammad prophet of butchers" on the Muslim Community Center of Kingston's Masjid Al-Hoda on Fortin Road. [DDV] http://patch.com/rhodeisland/narragansett/ri-mosque-vandalized-wake-nice-attacks Montgomery, Colo.; Proposals to build the East Montgomery Islamic Society were unveiled and are sparking an intense debate between city officials, residents, and Muslims. Montgomery City Councilman Glen Pruitt says he personally doesn't want a Mosque in District eight and recent events in France just fuel the fire of uncertainty. "This is the greatest nation that we live in but also we have concerns about people that are not like us it’s just the way that it is,” said Pruitt. Will Longshore, a resident of the area, said he’s totally opposed because “There's just a lot of unrest and a lot of unknown things right now.” [Zoning] http://www.wtvm.com/story/32451298/proposed-mosque-in-east-montgomery-sparks-debate Minneapolis, Minn.; A hate message, left at the door of the Da’wah Mosque in St. Paul, contained a slur against Islam’s Prophet Muhammad and the statement, “F**k Islam.” [Harassment] https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13673-cair-mn-calls-for-probe-of-hate-message-leftat-minnesota-mosque.html August Montgomery, Ala.; Several Montgomery City Council members say they have been receiving emails from residents about the mosque that could soon be built behind the Deer Creek neighborhood in east Montgomery. Councilman Glen Pruitt said, “I was basically saying that people fear what they don’t know and people they don’t know.” Council President Charles Jinright said he has been hearing “whispers” from people concerned with what – or who – the mosque might bring. Jinright said he is meeting with local Muslims soon to figure out what Islam is all about. “I’m just talking to a few to find out for myself. 9
I’ve got a lot of folks who are concerned and worried.” [Zoning] http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/08/02/council-discusses-new-mosquecitizens-concerns/87984770/ Newton County, Ga.; The Newton County Commission blocked the construction of a mosque and issued a five-week moratorium on new places of worship after community opposition. The majority of speakers at a public hearing came out against the mosque, citing concerns over terrorism and assimilation of Muslims into the community. Some expressed fear that the mosque would become an al-Qaida training camp or impose Sharia law on the community. “STAND STRONG,” reads a post on the STOP the Mosque Newton County Georgia Facebook page, which as of Friday had 645 likes. “THIS IS OUR COUNTY!!! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.” Update: The Newton County Commissioners Office released a joint statement with CAIR announcing their intent to lift a moratorium preventing a mosque from being built in the area. Some resident expressed anger: "I say not just no but absolutely no," one man said to applause. Like most of the speakers, he declined to identify himself to the crowd. "You and your children will be living under Sharia law, putting your hand over your heart for Allah," a man said. “I don’t want these people and these teachings in our community. Were we not watching our TV on Sept. 11, 2001. Have we lost our mind? Have we lost our common sense here?” said Edmond Hall. “Could be an ISIS (Daesh) training camp,” a woman said. Update September: A majority of the county's commissioners said they plan to vote Sept. 13 to lift the ban and approve zoning changes that won't affect the mosque and Muslim cemetery. [Zoning] http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-govtpolitics/newton-county-in-uproar-over-planned-mosque/nsJZq/ and http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/08/23/feds-weigh-whether-to-investigate-newton-county-mosquedebate/ and http://www.11alive.com/news/local/newton-county-muslims-come-to-agreement-onproposed-mosque/311818030 and https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/08/24/anti-muslimfury-greets-proposals-for-us-mosques.html Oklahoma City, Okla.; Justin William Bouma sent a threatening letter to the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City containing a white powder meant to be mistaken for anthrax. He was charged with a felony count known as the crime of terrorist hoax, and a misdemeanor count of malicious injury and destruction of property. [Intimidation] http://newsok.com/article/5515459 Watauga. Texas; James Nicholas Smithey, claiming to be a former member of the military left a violent voice message at Masjid al Sahaabah stating “We will cut all of your heads off. Do you understand me? All of you.” He was arrested and charged with harassment. [Intimidation] http://www.startelegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article97539467.html Tampa, Fla.; Tampa Fire Rescue declared the blaze at the Masjid Omar mosque on Busch Boulevard to be arson. The results of lab tests of debris taken from the scene showed traces of a gasoline. [DDV] http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/fire/two-tampa-area-mosque-fires-ruled-arson/2290569 Mankato, Minn.; The sign of the Islamic Center in downtown Mankato was vandalized, while a number of children were inside attending classes. A surveillance camera captured footage of a man attempting to remove the part of the sign bearing the Islamic Center's name. The unidentified man then placed a “for lease” banner on the sign. [DDV] http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/brazenvandal-damages-islamic-center-sign/article_3e5aa498-6fa5-11e6-8b57-5bb2148e964b.html September
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Baltimore, Md.; A tractor-trailer pulled into the lot of the Islamic Community Center of Laurel and then the driver backed up and rammed the building twice. No one was at the mosque at the time, but railing and an awning were damaged. [DDV] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/muslimgroup-wants-federal-probe-after-tractor-trailer-rams-laurel-mosque/2016/09/09/b9770a74-76d3-11e68149-b8d05321db62_story.html Nashua, N.H.; Worshippers were at a mosque when a rock was thrown through a window on September 11. Three kids were seen to walk away from the building afterwards. [DDV] http://www.concordmonitor.com/Rocks-thrown-at-mosque-on-Sept-11-4701497 Fort Pierce, Fla.; The Islamic Center of Fort Pierce sustained extensive damage after it was deliberately set on fire. No one was inside when it started. A male arrived on motorcycle carrying paper and a bottle of some type of liquid. He approached the northeast side of the building and ignited the fire. He then ran from the building. [DDV] http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/us/fire-mosque-pulse-shooter/
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