East Grand Forks, Minn. – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations is calling for an FBI probe into a fire inside an East Grand Forks mosque earlier this month.
Suzette Thompson, 57, of Thief River Falls (MN) has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson in connection with the case.
CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein says although the fire damage was minimal, the incident has caused trauma in the community. Hussein says the incident should be investigated as a hate crime. “Minnesota is now the highest per capita in the country in attacks against Muslims.”
Several clergy members visited the East Grand Forks Islamic Center Thursday in a show of support.
Surveillance video shows a female suspect use a lighter and spray can to ignite a curtain before fleeing the scene. Authorities have not released a motive for the incident.
Thompson is scheduled to be back in Polk County District Court on June 21st.
