Man Gets 191 Months in Jail for Arson at Islamic Center in Missouri
Nicholas John Proffitt was sentenced on Wednesday, August 2 to 191 months, or nearly 16 years, in prison.
“A 16-year sentence, a nearly 16-year sentence for this conduct, there’s no...taking those residences that he burned down, or the actual center itself, that can never be undone,” said Jay Greenberg, special agent in charge for the FBI St. Louis Division. “But I think a 16-year sentence shows this is something that the government takes very, very seriously, and we will hold accountable anyone who attacks one of our pillars of the country.”
“I just want to commend, really the victims here, the Islamic Center,” he added “They have shown a great amount of resolve, a great amount of grace and a great amount of forgiveness. I think they are clearly living the virtues that they are teaching.”
Leaders of the Islamic Center say they feel sorry for the man who burned their house of worship.
“He was a victim of bad propaganda against Islam. Had he ever tried to come to the mosque and talk to any one of us, this would have not happened at all.”
Hafez Amer joined a group of mosque leaders at the Cape Girardeau Federal Courthouse for the sentencing on Wednesday.
“We ask that Allah forgive him and for others also to be aware that they cannot just come and attack people for whatever their religion is or their group. Peace is much better,” he said.
Proffitt pleaded guilty in December to hate crime and arson charges.
According to court documents, on April 24, 2020, the first morning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at around 4:50 a.m., Proffitt set fire to the Islamic Center at 298 Northwest End Boulevard in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The center’s video security system showed Proffitt throwing multiple objects through the building’s glass window, causing to break. He’s also accused of throwing two containers into the center through the broken window and stepped through the window to enter the center.
Prosecutors say it was the second time he targeted the Islamic Center and his third attack against a house of worship.
Members say peace can already be found at their new mosque on Broadway.
“It will be a good center and we will start doing some interfaith activities in the community...because this is our community.”
Center President Shafiq Malik explained their inspiration for the transformation taking place at what was once a Masonic Temple.
“There was a beautiful mosque in Dubai that we had a picture of and we wanted our mosque to look like that and this building was perfect for that.”
Mike Miller with Miller Drywall in Scott City is helping turn their dream into a reality.
“We sat down with a notebook and a couple pieces of paper and drew it out and had the colors kind of and picked them out. So we done it and it looks good, very proud of it,” he said.
They say what started out as a time of sadness has turned into brighter days, building back not only a place of worship but a stronger community.
“Our community was actually very helpful and they actually shared their sentiments and their love when we were going through all this process, so we are happy and we will invite our community members.”
Leaders hope to have the work at the Islamic Center finished by the end of 2023.
Source: kfvs12.com
