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Muslim faith leaders call for more resources toward mosque safety
Muslim faith leaders gathered to discuss mosque safety at the Mercy Center in south Minneapolis Tuesday, just weeks after an arsonist set fire to one of its rooms.
MINNEAPOLIS — In the wake of three attacks on Twin Cities-area mosques in the last two months, faith leaders are put on guard.
“Muslim community members throughout the Twin Cities are feeling anxious and afraid,” said a moderator during a safety community meeting Tuesday.
Those fears were on full display from leaders in the Muslim faith who gathered at the Mercy Center in south Minneapolis Tuesday, just weeks after an arsonist set fire to a room in the mosque where children were being cared for.
“Many mosques are actively thinking about how to keep their congregates safe,” said the moderator.
“An off-duty police officer cost us over $500, with four-hour minimum,” said Imam Farrah.
Those thoughts led to a push for more resources from both city and federal leaders.
“We’ve been applying for the federal security grant for the last two years,” said Imam Farrah, an Imam at the largest mosque in the area. “We didn’t even get a response or a word, so the situation that the mosques are in requires an action.”
US Attorney Andrew Luger said those actions are in the works.
“In the next several weeks, my office — in partnership with community leaders and law enforcement — will be launching a new initiative called United Against Hate,” said Luger.
“Are we talking about financial resources for mosques or just connections?” asked the moderator.
“So we don’t have money to give out,” said Imam Farrah. “When I say resources, it’s expertise, it’s training.”
They’re doing so in the hopes of quieting fears in the name of safety.
“Every single one of us deserves the right to worship in safety, and your safety in this mosque and every mosque will always be at the forefront of my work,” said Luger.
Muslim leaders plan to have more community conversations similar to the one held Tuesday to continue shining a light on the issue to help it come to an end.
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Foodie Finds: Mothership Pizza Paradise
For yummy pizza, pasta and more, check out this new Minneapolis restaurant.
MINNEAPOLIS — Craving a fresh slice of pizza? Mothership Pizza Paradise offers wood-fired Neopolitan pies that might fulfill your desire.
The restaurant opened in Minneapolis on Oct. 29. The menu also offers handmade pasta and yummy sides crafted by Chef Tommy Begnaud.
For gluten-free eaters, there are options for both the pizza and pasta.
Begnaud visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share some of his bites. To check out Mothership Pizza Paradise and its menu, click here.
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Celebrate World Kindness Day in ways both big and small
Nov. 13 is the official day dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness big, small and everything in between.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — While we shouldn’t have to declare an official day to be kind to one another, today (Wednesday, Nov. 13) is celebrated across the globe as World Kindness Day.
Awareness Days describes World Kindness Day as an annual event that encourages individuals to practice kindness in their daily lives and celebrate the human qualities of empathy, understanding and cooperation. The goal is to create “a more harmonious and caring world.”
So how do you plan to celebrate? It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate… rake the front yard of an elderly neighbor, cook or bake and double the batch so you have something to give away. Here are a few more ideas from Awareness Days.
- Perform small acts of kindness: Compliment a colleague, buy a cup of coffee for someone behind you in line, or donate to a charity.
- Spread Positivity: Share uplifting and positive messages on social media to inspire others to be kind and compassionate.
- Volunteer: Offer your time to volunteer for a local charity or nonprofit organization that aligns with your values.
- Teach Kindness: Educate children and young people about the importance of kindness and empathy through storytelling or classroom activities.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise someone with a random act of kindness, like leaving an encouraging note for a friend or contacting someone on social media and telling them how important they are to you.
To celebrate World Kindness Day in our own way, we here at KARE 11 are sharing a few of our favorite stories of kindness as inspiration. Check them out, feel the love and spread it generously.
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Prosecutors strike plea deal in Nudieland shooting
The agreement requires 18-year-old Cyrell Boyd to testify against co-defendant Dominic Burris and serve time at the Red Wing juvenile corrections facility.
MINNEAPOLIS — Calling him a “lesser-involved” defendant in a shooting that killed one person and injured others, Hennepin County prosecutors have struck a deal with 18-year-old Cyrell Boyd that will allow him to avoid doing hard time in prison.
Boyd agreed to testify against co-defendant Dominic Burris, who the county attorney’s office accuses of firing a gun multiple times into a crowd at a punk music show known as Nudieland back in August 2023. One victim – August Golden – was killed and at least six others injured in the incident.
The shooting occurred when Boyd was 17 years old. He was originally charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and six other felony counts.
“The plea deal that we have agreed to with Mr. Boyd is critical to us pursuing an intentional murder case against Dominic Burris, who was the instigator and main perpetrator of the terrible events that occurred at Nudieland,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.
“Mr. Boyd provided critical evidence that allowed us to develop an ironclad case against Mr. Burris. This led us to change our plea offer for Mr. Burris which includes an increased period of incarceration and will require him to admit to intentional second-degree murder, reflecting his primary role in this horrific incident.”
In exchange for providing evidence and testifying against Burris, Boyd will avoid serving hard prison time for his role in the fatal incident. Instead, he will serve a sentence at the Red Wing juvenile justice facility, take part in intensive therapy to address what prosecutors call a “significant trauma history,” and receive stayed sentences at both the juvenile and adult levels of 86 and 110 months.
In total, Boyd will be under state supervision until he is 26 years old. If he does not comply with terms of probation, he could serve time in adult prison.
In a news release, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says while Boyd’s participation in the deadly shooting “demands accountability,” they say he played a significantly lesser role in the incident than his co-defendant.
According to the charges filed against the teens, witnesses say that Burris and Boyd “hit” on two people at the backyard concert, attended mostly by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Witnesses told investigators that when their advances were turned down, the defendants made “insensitive” comments and derogatory epithets about the sexual orientation of people at the concert. Shots were fired soon after.
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