Investigation of Threatening Calls to Minneapolis Mosque

MINNEAPOLIS — Dar Al-Qalam mosque in northeast Minneapolis reported receiving over a dozen threatening phone calls this past weekend, prompting concern among community leaders. The mosque's leaders stated that 14 calls, originating from a St. Cloud area code, included slurs and explicit threats. One caller even sent a video of the 2019 mosque shooting in New Zealand, intensifying fears of targeted violence. "This was not only a threat, but a clear intimidation targeting our mosque," remarked Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-Minnesota. In response to the threats, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that law enforcement acted swiftly to initiate an investigation. He expressed confidence that those who hide behind technology to intimidate others would face accountability in court. "I'm certain cowards like this will be less of a bully when they get a chance in front of a judge," O'Hara stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. CAIR-Minnesota highlighted a troubling trend, noting that since 2021, there have been 33 incidents targeting mosques across Minnesota. This summer, a new Muslim community center and mosque in St. Anthony suffered eight attacks, resulting in over $20,000 in damages. Community leaders attribute the rise in such incidents to the heightened Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments often seen during election years. Imam Yussuf Abdulle, Executive Director of the Islamic Association of North America, underscored the importance of addressing hate speech, stating, "Words have consequences. Messages have consequences. And we cannot take this lightly." In light of these events, police have pledged to maintain an increased presence near places of worship to ensure community safety.