To mark the end of Islam's holiest month, Iftikhar Ali will head not to a mosque but to a convention center guarded by law enforcement officers. That's because this month, during Ramadan, the mosque in Joplin, Missouri, burned to the ground. Its rubble smoldered for two days as a shocked Muslim community came to terms with what had happened. "I think there are a few people who don't like anybody," Ali said. "They don't like a different color than their color or different religions." Ali, who is the president of the Joplin mosque, said the congregation rented a convention center so people would have a place to pray and celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of fasting for Ramadan.
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Attacks on Islamic centers spiked across America during the holy month of Ramadan
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Many Muslims are fearful as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr in the United States
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The fear was heightened by the carnage at the Sikh temple and the burning of a Missouri mosque
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An Islamic advocacy group has asked mosques to beef up security Sunday for Eid
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr
Eid
Ahead of @placeholder, Ali said he contacted the police and sheriff's department.
Islamic
Islamic
It's that way across America, after a spate of violence at @placeholder centers in recent weeks that included a homemade bomb and pigs parts.
Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan
At least seven mosques and one cemetery were attacked in America during @placeholder, according to groups that track such incidents.
Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan
Police still do not have information on who was responsible for the act, which was particularly offensive during @placeholder to practicing Muslims who consider pigs as unclean.
America
United States
I feel more secure here in @placeholder than anywhere else in the world."
America
United States
On this Eid, that may not happen in some houses of worship in @placeholder