Social Media Threat Directed at Mosque Prompts Alert
The disturbing comment appeared after a teenager posted an invitation to a seminar, entitled "Being Muslim in America," held Saturday evening at the Masjid Hamza mosque in southwest Houston.
"Islam should be outlawed in the U.S.," someone responded. "I'll be there to make sure you do not enjoy your 'event.' See you soon."
Mosque officials said they found more disturbing material when they looked at the Facebook page of the man who posted the comment. Among other things, they said they found troubling images of firearms.
"We were concerned for our children, of course," said Yasmin Kassamali, who helped organize the seminar.
Officials with CAIR said they couldn't just dismiss the posting as an idle comment.
"You could say that if it wasn't in the context of a real spike in anti-Muslim, anti-Islam activities that have been going on," said Ruth Nasrullah, a spokesperson for CAIR.
FBI agents and Houston police were notified, CAIR said. HPD and the Harris County Sheriff's Office supplied extra security for the event, Kassamali said, which unfolded without any problems.
