Friday, December 23, 2005
Religious and civic leaders gathered to show support.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward in the bombing of a Cincinnati mosque complex.
Special Agent Michael Brooks, an FBI spokesman in Cincinnati, said the reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the two explosions Tuesday night.
"We decided to go ahead and offer the reward now to generate additional leads," Brooks said. "With Christmas coming up, we wanted to keep the public's attention on this case."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations offered a $5,000 reward Wednesday.
There were no injuries and the explosions caused only minor damage. But they could have been deadly if someone had been nearby, said Stanley Borgia, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Cincinnati office.
Brooks declined to discuss the progress of the investigation, but he said no one has claimed responsibility. Shrapnel from the blasts was being analyzed.
Investigations
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cincinnati police and fire investigators, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the state Department of Homeland Security are investigating.
People of all faiths were invited to join a prayer vigil Thursday night at the Islamic Association of Cincinnati mosque complex.
"It will be a chance for people to offer prayers and support for peace and unity," said Karen Dabdoub, spokeswoman for the Ohio office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
On Wednesday, more than two dozen civic and religious leaders had gathered at the mosque to show support for the Islamic community and to denounce the bombing.
About the mosque
Between 300 and 400 families are members of the mosque, about a mile from the University of Cincinnati campus. The older building in the complex, a two-story brick house, is used for daily prayers; a worship center that opened two years ago is used for larger gatherings.
Mohammed Ali came to the mosque Thursday afternoon for prayer.
"This is sad. You aren't expecting this during a time of the year when everyone talks about peace, harmony and love," he said.