The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has called on state and federal law enforcement authorities – including the FBI – to investigate a reported bomb threat targeting a Montgomery County, Maryland mosque as a hate crime.
Montgomery County Police responded to the report of a bomb threat at the Idara Jaferia Islamic Center in Burtonsville on Friday, December 1. The center was evacuated and it was later determined by police that the threat was not valid. MCPD tweeted the following at 1:15pm;
“The Idara Jaferia Islamic Center located at 3140 Spencerville Road is being evacuated for the report of bomb threat. MCPD is investigating the validity of the threat.”
According to the CAIR press release calling for the investigation, “Officials with the Idara Jaferia Islamic Center in Burtonsville, Maryland, say police came to the mosque during Friday congregational prayers (Jummah) and said someone had called in a bomb threat. The mosque was evacuated.
“Because of this alleged threat to a house of worship, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to bring hate crime charges against the perpetrator when they are apprehended,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “We thank the Montgomery County Police Department for its swift and professional action in this case.”
The full press release can be seen here.