Blast at Minnesota Islamic Center a Suspected Hate Crime, Congregants Say
An early–morning explosion blew out a window and shook the Al–Farooq Youth and Family Center in Bloomington, MN, on Saturday. No one was injured, but federal authorities are now investigating what appears to have been a type of planned attack against the center.
The Bloomington Police Department said in a statement that it is working along with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the explosion, which happened as several people were in the building before first prayer. Several neighbors also reported being awakened by the blast.
According to local media, the center’s executive director, Mohamed Omar, said a witness saw a truck fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed immediately after the explosion. Both neighbors and congregants believe the incident to be a hate crime, the Star Tribune reported.