MEDIA ADVISORY: Indianapolis Muslim Community Calls for Hate Crime Investigation of Shooting Targeting Mosque
The Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network (IMAN) and Masjid E-Noor, a local Indianapolis mosque, are planning to hold a press conference regarding a shooting that targeted Masjid-E-Noor on Sunday, May 24, which was Eid ul-Fitr, one of the holiest days of the Muslim calendar marking the end of Ramadan. We intend to share the surveillance video with the attendees at the press conference.
WHAT: Press conference regarding hate crime shooting at local mosque, Masjid-E-Noor
WHEN: TODAY, Thursday May 28, 2020, at 10:30 am
WHERE: Outside Masjid-E-Noor; 5355 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254
WHO: Eyewitnesses, mosque and local community leaders
Live Video will be streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/IMANAssociates/
CONTACT: IMAN Executive Director Hiba Alami at 317-798-0688 or halami@imanadvocates.org
On May 24, 2020, Muslim Hoosier families gathered across the state to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar. That Sunday evening, Masjid-E-Noor was closed due to coronavirus precautions. However, a few members of the mosque were gathered in prayer to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, when bullets penetrated the windows and nearly struck some of the congregants, in an apparent hate crime against the mosque and an act of attempted murder against those inside. Fortunately, there were no casualties, primarily because an overwhelming majority of the mosques’ attendees had stayed home due to the pandemic.
Hoosier Muslim community leaders are calling on local law enforcement to vigorously investigate a possible hate crime motive for the shooting, to increase patrols directly in front of Masjid-E-Noor and other local mosques, and are calling on elected officials to publicly condemn such an overt act of violence.
In a statement, Syed Ali Saeed, the President of IMAN, said:
"Shootings like the one at Masjid E. Noor have increased recently, with mosques and synagogues being the primary subjects of these hateful crimes. While the Muslim community does not currently have the benefit of any investigation results, we strongly suspect that the violence was motivated by hate and bigotry and urge the IMPD to run a transparent and thorough investigation. We will not tolerate bigotry in our Hoosier state and will continue to work with our allies to ensure that worshippers in Indiana can practice their faiths safely and peacefully."
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Masjid-E-Noor is an Indianapolis mosque that has been serving Northwest Indianapolis Hoosiers since 2013.
IMAN is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that strives to provide Muslim Hoosiers an educated, organized and amplified political voice advocating for positive civic and political changes in the State of Indiana. https://www.imanassociates.org/
WHAT: Press conference regarding hate crime shooting at local mosque, Masjid-E-Noor
WHEN: TODAY, Thursday May 28, 2020, at 10:30 am
WHERE: Outside Masjid-E-Noor; 5355 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254
WHO: Eyewitnesses, mosque and local community leaders
Live Video will be streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/IMANAssociates/
CONTACT: IMAN Executive Director Hiba Alami at 317-798-0688 or halami@imanadvocates.org
On May 24, 2020, Muslim Hoosier families gathered across the state to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar. That Sunday evening, Masjid-E-Noor was closed due to coronavirus precautions. However, a few members of the mosque were gathered in prayer to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, when bullets penetrated the windows and nearly struck some of the congregants, in an apparent hate crime against the mosque and an act of attempted murder against those inside. Fortunately, there were no casualties, primarily because an overwhelming majority of the mosques’ attendees had stayed home due to the pandemic.
Hoosier Muslim community leaders are calling on local law enforcement to vigorously investigate a possible hate crime motive for the shooting, to increase patrols directly in front of Masjid-E-Noor and other local mosques, and are calling on elected officials to publicly condemn such an overt act of violence.
In a statement, Syed Ali Saeed, the President of IMAN, said:
"Shootings like the one at Masjid E. Noor have increased recently, with mosques and synagogues being the primary subjects of these hateful crimes. While the Muslim community does not currently have the benefit of any investigation results, we strongly suspect that the violence was motivated by hate and bigotry and urge the IMPD to run a transparent and thorough investigation. We will not tolerate bigotry in our Hoosier state and will continue to work with our allies to ensure that worshippers in Indiana can practice their faiths safely and peacefully."
---
Masjid-E-Noor is an Indianapolis mosque that has been serving Northwest Indianapolis Hoosiers since 2013.
IMAN is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that strives to provide Muslim Hoosiers an educated, organized and amplified political voice advocating for positive civic and political changes in the State of Indiana. https://www.imanassociates.org/
Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network Statement on Police- Engaged Shooting in Our Community
Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, on behalf of its staff and constituents, sends its thoughts and prayers to the family of Sean Reed who was involved in a tragic and fatal incident involving a police action shooting on May 6th, 2020. Given that critical questions remain unanswered regarding the fatal shooting of Mr. Reed, we stand in solidarity with other community members and organizations in seeking a thorough and transparent investigation of this incident.
Unfortunately, incidents and reports of police brutality and use of excessive force against victims of color have become far too common. These incidents fracture the public’s trust in law enforcement agencies and tarnish the image of many valiant and compassionate officers serving their communities. Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network demands for our lawmakers to act swiftly and assess and institute if feasible measures, such as mandatory body cameras, to restore the fractured public trust.
Unfortunately, incidents and reports of police brutality and use of excessive force against victims of color have become far too common. These incidents fracture the public’s trust in law enforcement agencies and tarnish the image of many valiant and compassionate officers serving their communities. Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network demands for our lawmakers to act swiftly and assess and institute if feasible measures, such as mandatory body cameras, to restore the fractured public trust.