Kare11
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.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings