Protection Of Bay Area Mosques Sought After Hate-Filled Letter Received In South Bay

BAY AREA, CA – An Islamic advocacy group is calling on authorities to step up protection for mosques after a San Jose Islamic center received a derogatory letter in the mail this week.

On Thursday evening, the Evergreen Islamic Center at 2486 Ruby Ave. received a letter, which addressed the center's members as "children of Satan," according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The letter's author also called Muslims "vile and filthy people" and said members should "pack their bags and get out of dodge," CAIR said.

Additionally, the letter also said that President-elect Donald Trump is "going to cleanse America and make it shine again. And, he is going to start with you Muslims."

The San Jose Police Department's assault unit, which investigates hate-motivated crimes, responded to the incident and is conducting an investigation, according to police.

The incident is one of many that have happened across the country since the Nov. 8 presidential election, targeting American Muslims and other minority groups, CAIR said.

"We urge local law enforcement authorities to work with Muslims community leaders to ensure the safety of all houses of worship," CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area Executive Director Zahra Billoo said in a statement. "Our state's political and religious leaders need to speak out against the mainstreaming of Islamophobia that we are witnessing in California and nationwide."

Officials at the Evergreen Islamic Center reassured its followers through a post that the community "was never under any direct and active threat."

"It is extremely important to make a note of the rapid reaction we received from the law enforcement, from our local leaders and our entire community," a director said in the message. "It is heart-warming to know that there are so many good people out there including our long-term neighbors who reject hatred and have offered us unconditional support during these trying times."

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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Shutterstock image