Imam Rauf Getting Threats

Police report threats against Muslim cleric behind Manhattan Islamic center.

ByABC News
September 10, 2010, 12:57 PM

Sept. 22, 2010 — -- Imam Feisal Rauf, the Muslim cleric promoting the building of a controversial lower Manhattan Islamic community center, has received a number of telephone threats in recent weeks and as a result has been under periodic police protection, police officials told ABC News today. The threats are being investigated by police.

Concerns for Rauf's security escalated in the days prior to the ninth anniversary of the Sept 11th attacks, when controversy reached a fevered pitch. At that time police officials told ABC that they had discussed with Rauf measures that would ensure his security and safety, though they said at the time that Rauf had not yet received any threats. While the Police Department does not comment on the nature of security arrangements, in Rauf's case it appears that the protection is provided periodically.

Muslim leaders met in Queens Sunday to discuss the anti-Muslim sentiments that have been expressed since the announcement of the Park51 project in lwer Manhattan, but Rauf did not show up. A spokesman for the clerics said Monday that Rauf had chosen not to attend the meeting because of unspecified "security" concerns.

New York City in recent years has had only a small number of anti-Muslim bias crimes each year, but there had been a slight increase recently, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said earlier this month. Rauf's high-visibility campaign to build a mosque just blocks from Ground Zero has placed him at squarely in the cross hairs of highly vocal and at times aggressive protestors against the mosque.

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