ALBAWABA- At least one person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a mosque in northeast Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, prompting a response from local police and federal law enforcement agencies.
Officers from the Columbus Division of Police arrived at the scene in the 2200 block of Albert Avenue at around 2:10 p.m. local time. Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded, confirming their presence at the scene.
The incident comes amid heightened political debate in the United States over Islam, immigration and the role of Muslim Americans in public life. President Donald Trump has repeatedly made critical statements about Islam and Muslim communities, including claims about the spread of Sharia law in Western cities and calls to prohibit its application in the United States.
BREAKING: United States federal authorities responding to shooting at mosque in Columbus, Ohio
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Trump has also targeted Muslim political figures, including Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
He has questioned their political positions and national loyalties, while El-Sayed has denied allegations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and accused Trump of attacking him because of his faith and background. Trump has also repeatedly criticised Omar over her Somali background and political views.
The broader political climate has intensified debate over anti-Muslim prejudice and the treatment of Muslim Americans, particularly as Muslim candidates seek higher political office.
Dr. Mansour Al-Maswari is Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University-Global Center, Amman. A Yemeni academician with a Ph.D. in English "Comparative Literature" and two MA degrees, one in political science and the other in English, Dr. Al-Maswari possesses more than 17 years of extensive experience in university-level teaching, research, research reviewing, bilingual translation, and copy-writing...
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