Overview
- The American Islamic Community Center received at least two profanity-laced voicemails that included explicit death threats and orders that worshippers leave the country, according to local leaders and audio shared by the Arab American News.
- Law enforcement treated the calls as a possible hate crime and increased patrols around the mosque after the messages were reported, local outlets observed.
- Police announced they identified and arrested a man they believe left the threatening messages and said charges will be submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for review.
- CAIR-Michigan, the Arab American Civil Rights League and county officials condemned the threats, offered a $1,000 reward for information, and urged local, state and federal authorities to pursue the case fully.
- Mosque leaders say the center has faced organized opposition in the past, and advocates warn the incident echoes recent attacks on U.S. mosques and could lead to heightened security measures and federal involvement.