Springfield, MO) — Worshipers at the Islamic Center of Springfield say someone found a threatening letter and several burned Qurans on the property Sunday.

Now, a Muslim civil rights group is calling for a hate crime investigation and the FBI is involved.

Worshipper say they found the note on the mosque at 2151 East Division in Springfield. It reads “death to Islam,” and the writers vow Islam, “will not survive.”

People at the mosque feel threatened.

Springfield police records show officers responded to the call Sunday. One call was labeled as a “terrorist threat.”

Basic police reports don’t mention the burned Qurans, but they do mention a found property call and a note.

An FBI spokesperson says the bureau is now investigating what happened as a possible civil rights violation. It would not confirm the details.

In January, people who use the center also found graffiti. It was followed by more vandalism to a water faucet that left water gushing from the center.

Now, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is now calling for a hate crimes probe.

A member of the Islamic Center’s board says the note and burned Qurans make him feel less safe at the center.

“We believe this guy or these guys, if they are not stopped right now, they will do more,” says Jamil Saquer. “And we hope it is not going to reach that stage where they will beat somebody or do more harm to the muslims in this community.”

Another worshiper says she has tried to foster understanding and tolerance in the community. She says it hurts to see this after all her work.

“Because it is your holy book,” adds Saquer. “So, you wished there was something you could do to prevent such event from happening.”

Saquer says the board will consider options. Right now, they’re debating whether it would help to have people at the center more often

Source: ozarksfirst.com

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