Minnesota Mosque Attack Wave
Minnesota leads the nation in incidents targeting mosques, with 44 documented attacks over three years causing over $3 million in damages. The pattern began with the 2017 bombing of Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center by the 'White Rabbits' militia (ringleader sentenced to 53 years). Since then, mosques across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota have faced repeated arsons, break-ins, vehicular attacks, and vandalism — including fires set while children were inside, an imam assaulted walking to prayers, and a CAIR director deliberately hit by a car. In 2025 alone, four mosques were targeted including a devastating fire that destroyed a mosque and Islamic school in Prior Lake.
Timeline
February 19, 2026
Jackie Rahm Little Sentenced to 70 Months
Jackie Rahm Little was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for the 2023 arsons at Masjid Omar and Masjid Al-Rahma. He was ordered to pay over $378,000 in restitution.
SourceDecember 8, 2025
Fire Destroys Mosque and Islamic School in Prior Lake
An early morning fire at approximately 2:30 AM caused major damage to Masjid Hamza Al-Mahmood Foundation and Baitul Hikmah Academy in Prior Lake, causing a partial roof collapse. The mosque served over 200 K-12 students who were forced into remote learning. ATF investigating.
SourceNovember 23, 2025
Break-In at Masjid Uthman, North Minneapolis
At approximately 10:32 PM, two masked individuals forced entry through a locked back door at Masjid Uthman while a third waited in a vehicle circling outside. Perpetrators desecrated the worship area by entering with shoes on. No arrests were made.
SourceOctober 7, 2025
Break-In and Arson Threat at Alhikma Islamic Center
A woman shattered part of a glass door at Alhikma Islamic Center and allegedly threatened to burn the mosque. Mosque officials believe she was the same person involved in the September 29 fire.
SourceSeptember 29, 2025
Fire at Alhikma Islamic Center, Minneapolis
A fire broke out near the closed-off basement entrance of Alhikma Islamic Center. The Fire Department ruled it accidental, but CAIR-MN noted security cameras recorded an unidentified person leaving the area.
SourceSeptember 5, 2025
Fire at Dar Al-Farooq Center, Bloomington
A fire was discovered in a shed on the football field behind Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center. Witnesses saw a male running to and from the shed. CAIR-MN called for a full bias investigation given the mosque's history.
SourceMarch 10, 2025
CAIR Report: Minnesota Leads Nation in Mosque Attacks
CAIR's 2025 civil rights report documented that Minnesota leads the nation in incidents targeting mosques, with 44 total incidents over three years including arsons causing over $3 million in damages. Minnesota had 15 documented cases in 2024 alone.
SourceNovember 12, 2024
Fireworks Launched at Mankato Islamic Center
A man on a bike launched two bottle rockets in the parking lot of the Mankato Islamic Center. Police cited the man for misdemeanor fireworks possession but stated they had 'no reason to believe that the Islamic Center was targeted.'
SourceAugust 27, 2024
Break-In at Darul Hikmah Islamic Center, Minneapolis
At approximately 2:00 AM, an individual dressed in all black forcibly entered Darul Hikmah Islamic Center, rummaging through multiple rooms and causing thousands of dollars in damage. CAIR-MN noted it was the 35th mosque attack in Minnesota in three years.
SourceMay 29, 2024
Vandalism Campaign Begins at Tibyan Center, St. Anthony
The first of eight vandalism incidents targeting the newly announced Tibyan Center (a former bank being converted to an Islamic center) in St. Anthony. Attacks continued through July, causing approximately $20,000 in damage across 8 incidents in 6 weeks.
SourceMay 22, 2024
Hit-and-Run at Alhikma Islamic Center
James E. Suttles deliberately drove a minivan into Osman Ahmed, CAIR-MN director of advocacy, in the parking lot of Alhikma Islamic Center. Ahmed was thrown onto the hood and suffered non-critical injuries. Suttles had been arrested three times since 2021 for incidents related to the mosque.
SourceApril 29, 2023
Jackie Rahm Little Arrested
Jackie Rahm Little was arrested in Mankato, Minnesota. He was charged federally with arson and damage to religious property (a federal hate crime).
SourceApril 24, 2023
Arson at Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque, Bloomington
The night after attacking Masjid Omar, Jackie Rahm Little set fire to the third floor of Masjid Al-Rahma Mosque while worshippers and 40 daycare children were inside the building. Damage totaled $378,000.
SourceApril 23, 2023
Arson at Masjid Omar Islamic Center, Minneapolis
Jackie Rahm Little set fire to a bathroom inside Masjid Omar Islamic Center by igniting a cardboard box. An employee interrupted him and he fled, leaving a gas canister behind.
SourceApril 12, 2022
McWhorter and Morris Sentenced for 2017 Bombing
Michael McWhorter received a 16-year prison sentence and Joe Morris received a 14-year sentence for their roles in the 2017 Dar Al-Farooq bombing.
SourceSeptember 13, 2021
Emily Claire Hari Sentenced to 53 Years
Emily Claire Hari, the ringleader of the 2017 Dar Al-Farooq bombing who founded the 'White Rabbits' militia, was sentenced to 53 years in federal prison for masterminding the attack.
SourceAugust 6, 2020
Imam Assaulted Outside Dar Al-Farooq
Imam Mohamed Mukhtar was attacked while walking to nightly prayers at Dar Al-Farooq, suffering two fractures in his left shoulder. Two juveniles (ages 13 and 16) were later charged.
SourceJune 1, 2020
Confederate Flag Intimidation at Dar Al-Farooq
A man camped near the Dar Al-Farooq mosque in Bloomington's Smith Park and hung a Confederate flag from a tree in what mosque leaders described as an attempt to intimidate worshippers.
SourceAugust 5, 2017
Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center Bombing
An IED and pipe bomb were detonated at the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington at approximately 5:00 AM. Emily Claire Hari, Michael McWhorter, and Joe Morris of the 'White Rabbits' militia from Illinois carried out the attack, damaging the imam's office. No injuries occurred.
SourceQuick Stats