Minnesota Jewish community affirms solidarity with firebombed mosque

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota affirms its solidarity with the Muslim community in the wake of an attack on a local mosque.

The blast at the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Minneapolis occurred early on Saturday, while worshipers were gathered for early morning prayers. No one was injured in the attack, but the imam’s office where someone threw a firebomb was damaged, according to police.

“Earlier this year, the Muslim community placed an ad in the Star Tribune affirming solidarity with the Jewish community after the JCC bomb threats. Today, the Jewish community affirms its solidarity with the school, mosque, and local Muslim community,” Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, says in a statement.

The attack caused an estimated $95,000 worth of damage.

A GoFundMe page set up in the wake of the attack to help the mosque has raised nearly $69,000 and a LaunchGood campaign has raised nearly $17,000. Donations ranged from $5 to hundreds of dollars.

One message left by a donor couple on the page read: “We are American Jews who share your outrage and sorrow over the recent attack on your mosque. We are relieved that no one was injured, grateful to the first responders, and hopeful that the perpetrator(s) will soon be identified and brought to justice.”

— JTA