Islamic Center Gets Hate Emails after Osama Bin Laden’s Death

Some local Muslims said Monday they felt more susceptible to anti-Muslim hate crimes and attacks after the death of Osama Bin Laden—despite President Obama's statements that the “world is safer” and “a better place” and that the United States is not in a war against Islam.

“I think there’s going to be a short period of time where we’re not going to be as safe,” said Meri Ayoub, who has been a secretary for the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley for 10 years. “The words, ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslims’ are back in the media, and they have polarized people again.”

Ayoub said she wasn’t surprised to arrive at work Monday to find five hate emails in reaction to Bin Laden’s death. One of the emails, with the subject line of “Bin Laden,” said, “I know that the USA will defeat the Muslims worldwide and on our own soil … death to Mohammad and to Islam!”

School on Alert
Al-Amal Islamic School, which shares a building in Fridley with the , was “on alert” today for any suspicious people entering the building. Principal Audrey Williams also asked staff to look for any suspicious activity.

Williams said she doesn’t feel the school and Muslims in general are less at-risk for hate crimes now that Bin Laden has been killed.

“Just because Osama Bin Laden is gone now, doesn’t mean other factions of terrorist organizations aren’t still out there,” Williams said. “But we’re lucky as a school. Most people are very good to us. We’re in a very protected neighborhood.”

After 9/11, received hate messages by fax. Any hate emails or calls usually happen right away, Williams said.

“It’s been pretty quiet here today,” she added.

Police Not Expecting Problems
The Fridley Police Department received an advisory from the Department of Homeland Security Monday saying there may be retaliatory attacks avenging Bin Laden’s death, or attacks on people who follow the Islamic faith, according to Lt. Mike Monsrud.

“Although we’re on a heightened state of precaution, we’re not expecting any problems," Monsrud said.

What Islam Really Is
The head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Minnesota said she hopes things get better now that Bin Laden is dead.

“After 9/11, we saw a great increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes,” said Lori Saroya, president of CAIR Minnesota. "People saw Bin Laden as a representative for Muslims. Muslim communities everywhere were condemning terrorism, but his actions took the loudest voice. Now that he is out of the picture, there is a chance to see Muslims for who they really are—and Islam for what it really is.”

Mixed Feelings
During Obama’s Sunday night announcement that United States forces had killed Bin Laden, he emphasized that the country isn't in conflict with the Islamic world.

“I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam,” Obama said. “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.”

But at the Islamic Center, Ayoub said she had mixed feelings about whether people actually listened to that part of his speech.

“I’m glad he said it, but I don’t know if people will take it to heart,” Ayoub said. “Every time something happens and the media mentions Islam and Muslims, the crazies come out of the woodwork.”