Advocacy group calls on Alabama leaders to ‘stop stoking hate’ after Gadsden mosque arson

NewsAn image of the suspect in the Gadsden mosque attack.FBIA suspect has been arrested in connection with an arson attack on a Gadsden mosque, prompting a Muslim advocacy organization to renew calls for Alabama political leaders to denounce anti-Muslim rhetoric.The Council on American-Islamic Relations Alabama office praised the arrest in a news release Sunday following the Nov. 11 incident at Gadsden Islamic Society, where a masked individual threw an incendiary device at the mosque entrance. The society on Sunday posted a message of thanks to those who showed support in the wake of the incident.“In moments of pain and uncertainty, your gestures remind us that humanity, love, and compassion are stronger than hatred and violence,” the statement read.“May we continue to stand together, support one another, and build bridges of understanding, peace, and mutual respect.”Security footage showed a man wearing gray clothing, a hoodie, and a mask approaching the Gadsden Islamic Society mosque on South 9th Street and throwing an object at the front entrance which triggered the fire.The fire engulfed a doormat. Members of the neighborhood noticed the fire and extinguished it before the fire spread. No one was injured.The FBI’s Birmingham office and Gadsden Police Department announced the arrest late Saturday.Authorities did not release the name of the person or a charge, and said the investigation remains ongoing.As much as $30,000 in reward money was offered in connection with the incident.“We welcome the arrest made in connection with this arson attack on the Gadsden Islamic Society and thank both the FBI and the Gadsden Police Department for their swift and professional actions in this case,” A. Britton O’Shields, CAIR-Alabama staff attorney, wrote in Sunday’s release.The organization, which describes itself as the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, called on political leaders, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to condemn the attack. CAIR has previously stated that anti-Muslim rhetoric by political leaders sets the stage for violence against Muslims.“We also reiterate our call for political leaders, including Governor-Elect Tuberville, to stop stoking anti-Muslim hate, condemn this attack, and protect every community’s civil and religious rights,” O’Shields said.Efforts to reach Tuberville for comment were not immediately successful. “We will not tolerate violence of any kind in our city. Everyone who calls Gadsden home deserves to feel safe, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford posted on Sunday.Heather Gann is a breaking news and Birmingham metro reporter for AL.com. Prior to her role in breaking news, Gann covered any issues that directly impacted Birmingham metro area residents for The Birmingham...