4 days ago
CARMICHAEL, CA - Authorities were investigating who might have set fire to a federal envelope taped to the front gate of an Islamic Center Sunday. The property is at the center of a probe by the U.S. Attorney.
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District spokesman Capt. Christian Pebbles said the envelope was from the U.S. Department of Justice. Someone set fire to it before anyone from the Islamic Center arrived in time to open it.
Pebbles says it's unclear what motivated the act.
"It could be something as simple as some kids walking by and just lighting the paperwork that was attached to the exterior of the fence, or something more complex," said Pebbles. "Either way, we're going to continue our investigation, and wherever it leads us, we're going to follow it."
Congregation members had recently moved their meetings from the building located on Marconi Avenue to an undisclosed location. Sunday, they returned.
"People are kind of scrambling to figure out what to do next," said congregation member Keenan Booker. "It's just one of those things we had to go through, and thankfully we'll be able to operate again."
Federal prosecutors on Thursday filed court paperwork in Manhattan to seize the Carmichael property as well as properties in Maryland, Virginia, Texas and the headquarters building in New York all owned by the Alavi Foundation. Prosecutors say the Alavi Foundation is controlled by the Iranian government and has been illegally funneling money to Iran.
Carmichael congregation member Yusef Alil Muhammad said the court action caught his group in the middle and has led them to seek another prayer site.
"We're not doing anything wrong, illegal or immoral," he explained. "We had no reason to go and hide. We were just concerned about the legality and safety of using the building while it's under some sort of investigation."
Prosecutors said there's no reason to believe Muslims worshipping in the Alavi Foundation properties were engaged in improper activity. But a Sacramento Muslim leader said that message may be lost on many.
"People right here in Carmichael think there are terrorists or people associated with Iran right in their backyard, and that is absolutely the wrong message," said Imam Mohammed Abdul-Azeez of Sacramento's SALAM Islamic center.
Previous News10 Stories:
Carmichael Muslim Congregation Moves Prayer Service Over Probe; 11/13/09
Carmichael Mosque Targeted in Fed Seizure Attempt; 11/13/09
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