Sign up for our free daily newsletter!
By Canadian Press

Director of bombed mosque says it lacks security cameras

Aug 7, 2017 | 3:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — A Minnesota mosque that was bombed over the weekend doesn’t have outside security cameras that could have captured what happened, its executive director said Monday.

Mohamed Omar, of the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, told The Associated Press that his community, which is made up mostly of Somali immigrants, can’t afford security cameras. He also said the mosque didn’t receive any threats beforehand or claims of responsibility afterward.

Officials say witnesses saw someone throw something from a truck or van before the blast and saw a vehicle speed away afterward.

Nobody was hurt in the explosion, which happened just before morning prayers on Saturday, but the blast damaged the imam’s office across the hall from the worship space. Ceiling tiles still littered the office floor Monday along with tiny glass shards. The explosion left a small hole in the ceiling and damaged the imam’s desk. The shattered window had been boarded up. On the window ledge outside were flowers left by well-wishers.

The Minneapolis FBI office has not announced arrests or said whether it has identified any suspects. In a statement Monday afternoon, Special Agent in Charge Rick Thornton called it a “terrible crime” and vowed to focus every available resource on the case until it’s solved.

21 plates available
City of Red Deer to hold taxi plate draw in June
2h ago
Will use reserve funds
Red Deer Public Schools reports $1.8 million deficit in approved budget
3h ago
no danger to communities at this time
Updated: Growing Clearwater County wildfire causes evacuations
19h ago

Thornton also said there are certain questions he can’t answer due to the ongoing investigation.

“I want to assure the community that this investigation is our top priority and we continue to work to determine who carried out this crime and why,” he said. “These are important questions, and it will take time to develop the information necessary to answer them.”

The FBI office tweeted a picture Sunday of its command centre, showing over a dozen people, most with their faces blacked out, and said it was “All hands on deck!”

Omar said his community is grateful for the support it has received from people throughout the Twin Cities, including other religious groups. Members of an Eden Prairie church dropped off a basket of notes Sunday night. Visitors continued to drop off flowers and donations Monday.

While the bombing was “horrific and tragic,” Omar said, “on the other hand, good people came out, and they outnumber that one bad guy, and we are so pleased and so happy to see this community coming together in our support.”

Gov. Mark Dayton called the bombing an act of terrorism when he and other officials visited the mosque on Sunday.

In a sign of the ongoing safety concerns, a car from a private security company was parked outside the mosque Monday.

___

Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski contributed to this story from Minneapolis.

Jeff Baenen, The Associated Press


by Canadian Press

What's Trending

21 plates available
City of Red Deer to hold taxi plate draw in June
2h ago
Will use reserve funds
Red Deer Public Schools reports $1.8 million deficit in approved budget
3h ago
no danger to communities at this time
Updated: Growing Clearwater County wildfire causes evacuations
19h ago
A new era
Red Deer's Heritage Ranch finally has new operator
19h ago
For MS research
Red Deer Jayman Built MS Walk set for May 31
19h ago