Minnesota Muslim group urges vigilance after knife suspect arrested near mosque
Authorities later arrested the suspect after discovering he was allegedly carrying a knife and falsely presenting himself as a federal or military official, according to reports.
Sunday May 24, 2026
Lakeville, Minn (AX) — A Minnesota civil rights group is applauding the arrest of a man accused of wandering outside a Lakeville mosque with a knife and pretending to be a federal official, an episode it described as alarming and one that underscores persistent concerns about safety at houses of worship.
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The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Saturday that officers moved quickly after the man allegedly showed up near the mosque, acted strangely and claimed he was involved in a federal investigation.
Authorities later arrested the suspect after discovering he was allegedly carrying a knife and falsely presenting himself as a federal or military official, according to reports.
“We welcome the swift response by law enforcement authorities to this disturbing incident and are grateful no one was harmed,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-MN. “Mosques and other houses of worship should be places of peace and safety, not fear or intimidation.”
Hussein said the episode has renewed worries among Muslim communities already wary of threats and attacks aimed at Islamic institutions in Minnesota and elsewhere in the United States.
“We urge community members to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activity, and continue working with local leaders and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all community members,” he said.
The Lakeville incident follows a series of vandalism, arson and other disruptions at mosques in Minnesota. Hussein said last fall that more than 40 such incidents had been reported at mosques across the state over the prior three years, causing more than $3 million in damage.
In Washington, D.C., CAIR’s national office has also encouraged Muslim leaders to turn to its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” guidance as they strengthen security at religious sites. The organization said those recommendations can also be used by other houses of worship.
CAIR recently convened an emergency national webinar focused on mosque security and community safety after an attack targeting the Islamic Center of San Diego.
CAIR-MN is a civil rights and advocacy organization that works to protect civil liberties, promote understanding of Islam, empower American Muslims and build coalitions for justice and mutual understanding.
