Muslims in Minnesota report vandalism attacks

10/4/2004 4:20:00 PM GMT

Muslim leaders in the Twin Cities reported recent vandalism attacks on two Islamic centers that were set on fire Sunday morning and resulted in the damage of a storage shed at a mosque in Columbia Heights.

An eyewitness reported the shed on fire and called the police to the mosque on the 4000 block of NE. 7th St. at 5:46 a.m.

The shed, which was still under construction, was burned on the back wall; the extent of the damage was not yet known.

Mosque leaders also said that hay and eggshells were found inside the shed and that a second fire had taken place but did not result in any damage.

"Muslims are under attack in Minnesota," said Hamdy El-Sawaf, executive director of the Islamic Center of Minnesota.

"We Muslims in Minnesota are really shocked and disappointed."

Police in Columbia Heights declined to comment on the incident, citing the current investigation. The FBI is also investigating the case.

The attacks started Sept. 23 when pink paintball splatters were scattered on the brick exterior and windows of the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley, El-Sawaf told a news conference Sunday afternoon.

He added that the next day, some people entered the Columbia Heights mosque as night prayer was about to begin and threw a bottle of rotten eggs at the worshipers. Witnesses said that two people were seen running from the mosque.

Worshipers said that the security of the 350 Muslims who attend Friday services in Columbia Heights are at stake, especially as the holy month of Ramadan nears.

Over 75 people perform prayers daily at the Columbia Heights mosque. The Fridley center hosts about 360 kids each day, El-Sawaf said.

"What we suspect in our gut is the potential for escalation," worshiper Syed Dara said. "We don't want to live with this."

El-Sawaf also said that despite minor incidents after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, such as some graffiti at the mosque, Muslims have lived in relative peace in Minnesota. He added that these recent attacks are more alarming. He referred to a mosque in northeast Minneapolis which was set on fire in 1999.

El-Sawaf added that these incidents have prompted the need for the installation of security cameras at the Fridley center and Columbia Heights mosque. He also said that sentinels may be posted outside the buildings.