Minnesota Governor Calls Attack on Mosque 'Criminal Act of Terrorism'
Why hasn't Donald Trump condemned Saturday's terrorist attack against the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in suburban Minneapolis?
MINNESOTA— Worshippers at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, were shaken with terror Saturday when a bomb exploded as they prepared for morning prayer. Thankfully, no one was injured in the blast but an Imam's office was heavily damaged.
The mosque which primarily serves the Somali community is no stranger to threats. Mohammed Omar, the executive director of the center told the Star Tribune that he routinely receives hateful phone calls and e-mails from people who think the mosque's present is harmful to the community.
"[they say] that we shouldn’t be here, that we are a burden to the community," he told them.
The FBI took over the investigation and is working with local authority to identify potential suspects and motive for the blast, which they believe was caused by an "improvised explosive device."
The bombing which was called "a criminal act of terrorism" by Minnesota governor, Mark Dayton, takes place at a time when anti-Muslim sentiment is on the rise in the United States. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, discrimination against Muslims has gone up during the 2016 campaign and has continued to rise after Donald's Trump election. Just last week, a Muslim cemetery was vandalized in Dakota Country, Minnesota.
Many social media users took to twitter to question Donald Trump's silence on the attack as well as some mainstream media outlets' reluctance to call it a terrorist attack.
Today's bombing apparently joins the list of terror attacks Trump won't talk about. Anyone notice a pattern? https://t.co/GcjcpMtgTQ /2
— Mark Follman (@markfollman) August 6, 2017
Media perpetuates normalization of hate crimes against Muslims
There was BOMB ATTACK AGAINST A MOSQUE & coverage of it makes it seem nothing https://t.co/FogDYMS8TF
— Hasib N (@HasibMN) August 5, 2017
"A Minnesota mosque was bombed. That's terrorism. You won't see it on the headline news. It's not trending.... https://t.co/Z7yR6oVmAA
— Hal Newnan (@HappilyH) August 7, 2017
Our President has yet to make any remarks on the Minnesota mosque bombing. Where is your leadership @realDonaldTrump !?!?!?
— Destiny R. Rodriguez (@destinyrrod) August 7, 2017
Terrorist attacked Minnesota mosque yet again conman @realDonaldTrump is quiet. Prove you don't hate Muslim n condemn. @CNN @maddow
— Ahmed Yousuf (@A1YOUSUF) August 7, 2017
Trump who has since tweeted calling out "fake news media outlets" and leaks, has yet to comment.
Mosque officials have started a GoFundMe page in an effort to rebuild the parts of the community center and mosque that have been damaged in the blast.