Local faith leader decries actions targeting Muslims.

April 14, 2011  | Springfield (MO) News-Leader

Jamil Saquer, a board member at the Islamic Center of Springfield, shows the general area where the Qurans were found outside the center.

Jamil Saquer, a board member at the Islamic Center of Springfield, shows the general area where the Qurans were found outside the center. / Nathan Papes / News-Leader
“My hope and prayer is that they are not intimidated by it.” -Rev. Mark Struckhoff Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Written by Jess Rollins (jrollins@ news-leader.com)

Leaders of the Islamic Center of Springfield say they received a threatening letter targeting Muslims on Sunday and earlier that day found charred remains of three Qurans.

The FBI confirmed an investigation into possible civil rights violations but declined to comment further.

Springfield Police also declined comment but logs of police calls confirm two incidents at the center on Sunday; one logged as “found property” and the other a “terrorist threat.”

Neither log included reference to the Muslim holy book, but two center leaders described specifically what was found and reported to police.

The anonymous letter says that Muslims “stain the earth,” and the author vows “Islam will not survive.” A copy of the letter was provided to the News-Leader by the Rev. Mark Struckhoff, executive director for the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.

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