MPAC Calls on FBI & Justice Dept to Investigate Chemical Irritant Sprayed into Ohio Mosque
September 29, 2008
On Saturday, the Muslim Public Affairs Council called on the civil rights divisions of the FBI and Department of Justice to investigate an incident of a mysterious gas being sprayed into a Dayton, Ohio mosque during prayers on Friday night.
SEE: "Chemical Irritant Empties Islamic Society of Greater Dayton's Mosque" (Dayton Daily News, 9/27/08)
SEE ALSO: "Islamic Society Baffled by Incident at Worship Service" (Dayton Daily News, 9/28/08)
Dayton police, fire and hazardous material agencies were deployed the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton Friday evening, in response to reports of a "chemical irritant" being sprayed into mosque. Fire department reports indicate that a child reported seeing two men with a white can spraying something into a window where children were being cared for while their mothers participated in the evening prayers.
All 300 people gathered at the mosque for prayers related to the month of Ramadan were evacuated. Emergency medical personnel set up triage stations in at least two places to treat those who complained of burning eyes, coughing and labored breathing.
So far there is no indication that the incident was the result of a hate crime, according to Dayton police. However, local leaders feared the incident may be related to the recent mass distribution of an anti-Islam DVD. Seven major newspapers throughout Ohio have carried "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" as an ad insert in recent weeks.
SEE: "U.S. Newspaper Distribution of Bigoted Film Causes Nationwide Concern" (9/18/08)
On Saturday, MPAC Board Member Dr. Wayel Azmeh and other leaders of the Dayton Mercy Society held an interfaith event to discuss the propaganda tactics utilized by in "Obsession," and the calculated political intent of the Clarion Fund, which is behind the distribution of an estimated 28 million copies of the DVD in key swing states.
SEE: "DVD on Islamic Radicalism Focus of Meeting" (Dayton Daily News, 9/28/08)
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