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December 22, 2005
Leaders decry Ohio mosque complex blasts
CINCINNATI -- The mayor, the Roman Catholic archbishop and a rabbi were among the religious and civic leaders who stood together Wednesday to denounce the bombing of an Islamic center.
Two explosive devices inflicted minor damage to the entrances of adjoining mosques Tuesday night, about two hours after prayers had ended. No one was injured.
"We're all here in solidarity to speak out against this despicable act," Mayor Mark Mallory said. "From a community standpoint, we need to make it clear that this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated."
Stan Borgia, agent in charge of the FBI's Cincinnati office, said investigators had not finished analyzing debris from the scene. He declined to describe the bombs or their level of sophistication….
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Mosque_Explosions.html
December 22, 2005
Mosque blasts put others in area on alert
By Cameron Fullam and Andrea Yorke
The effects of two explosions at a mosque complex in Cincinnati have affected mosques in southwestern Ohio.
West Chester Police have increased patrols at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati off Tylersville Road simply as a "precaution."
"We are aware of what had occurred and we are going to provide some additional protective services to the Islamic Center until we get more information," said West Chester Police Chief John Bruce. "It's just a precaution."
West Chester's Sgt. Brian Rebholz said officers will drive by the Islamic Center more often during their shifts.
The bombs went off just after 10 p.m. Tuesday night in a building owned by the Islamic Association of Cincinnati, reported WKRC-TV, Channel 12. The building is on Clifton Avenue near the University of Cincinnati.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1222islamic.html
Enquirer editorial – December 22, 2005
Bombing an attack on all of us
If the person or persons who pipe-bombed a Clifton mosque hoped to terrorize the Islamic congregation or divide our community along religious lines, it grossly backfired.
Religious leaders, elected officials, law enforcement and ordinary citizens rushed to show solidarity with Muslims here. The members of the mosque are not outsiders. They are us. It is the bomber or bombers who are the aliens. The slithery attack was made under cover of darkness Tuesday night. The antidote to such poisonous hate is the universal condemnation that quickly followed. America's great strength is its refusal to let bigotry divide us as a city, a region or a nation. . .
The bomb attacks were particularly offensive in Clifton, one of the region's most religiously and culturally diverse neighborhoods. That gaslight stretch of Clifton Avenue is lined with Catholic and Protestant churches, and farther south are Hebrew Union College and Hillel House. Dr. Majid Qureshi, one of the founders of the Clifton mosque, related how the mosque and Unitarian Church share parking, and during the mosque's reconstruction, the Church of the Nazarene welcomed Islamic worshippers to hold services in the church basement. "We are a peaceful people in a peaceful community," Qureshi said. . .
It is especially important since 9/11 that it be known that our Islamic community condemned those crimes and others committed by terrorist imposters who kill in the name of Islam, and that all decent people here regard an attack on the Muslim members of our community as an attack on all of us….
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051222/EDIT01/512220302
December 21, 2005
Muslims buoyed by community support
after mosque attack
It has been just a little more than 24-hours since a Cincinnati mosque was attacked with two pipe bombs.
But investigators are saying very little about what they have learned so far.
9News spoke to the FBI about Wednesday night ago and what they're able to share isn't much.
But 9News does know part of what they're doing includes piecing bomb fragments back together.
They won't speculate on who might be responsible but 9News spoke to a terrorism expert who says the use of a pipe bomb can say a lot about the person using it.
After two loud blasts, it became a quiet scene Tuesday night at the mosque in Cincinnati.
Investigators set out to determine who detonated two pipe bombs at the mosque.
But on Wednesday morning members of the Islamic Association of Cincinnati made a little noise of their own as they immediately began patching up the damage.
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, along with leaders from other faiths, stood firmly behind the Islamic association.
"People really have just come out in force behind the Muslim community on this and expressing their support," said Karen Dabdoub, of the Islamic Association of Cincinnati…..
Sen. Dewine's statement on oh mosque bombing
"I was deeply disturbed and saddened to learn of the bombing of the Islamic Association of Cincinnati Mosque. I have asked the Director of the FBI to use all of available resources to solve this crime, and have also asked to be updated during the course of this investigation. My wife Fran and I express our deepest sympathy to those who have been impacted by this violent act."
Senator Mike DeWine
Taft expresses concern over explosions
at Islamic mosque
COLUMBUS (December 21, 2005) -- Ohio Governor Bob Taft today issued the following statement following reports of two explosions at the Islamic Association of Cincinnati mosque last night.
"At a time of year when we wish for and celebrate peace, I am deeply disturbed by the explosions at the Islamic mosque and the likelihood that they were purposely set off. As authorities have yet to confirm the nature or motives of the explosions, we can be thankful that no one suffered any injuries.
"I have authorized the Ohio Highway Patrol and Ohio's Homeland Security team to assist the FBI and Cincinnati law enforcement as the investigation moves forward. I ask all Ohioans to keep the members of the Islamic Association of Cincinnati in their thoughts and prayers."
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/12/21/mosque_folo.html
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