TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating reported threats targeting the Islamic Center of Tallahassee, raising concern among local Muslim leaders and civil rights advocates during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to local reporting, Mahmoud Abdelhadi, president of the Islamic Center of Tallahassee, said someone placed a small American flag on the side of the mosque with an anti-Muslim message telling worshipers they were not welcome, to leave, and insulting the Quran. Abdelhadi also reported receiving threatening text messages around the same time.
The messages were reportedly received on January 25, 2026, and the flag incident occurred the following day.
Tallahassee Police said the matter was reported on January 26 and confirmed that officers increased patrols in the area as a precaution.
TPD spokesperson Jerome Maples said the department takes threats seriously, especially when they involve houses of worship. Police also said no additional threats had been reported since January 2026. A review of court records cited by WCTV indicated that no arrests had been made and no charges had been filed at the time of the report.
For members of the Islamic Center of Tallahassee, the incident is especially painful because it comes during Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims. Abdelhadi expressed concern that anti-Muslim rhetoric in the broader political and cultural climate may be making some people feel more comfortable acting with hostility toward Muslim communities.
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR-FL, has called on state and federal law enforcement officials to investigate the threats as a possible hate crime. CAIR-FL described the reported threats as deeply troubling and said houses of worship must remain places of peace and safety, not intimidation.
The organization also emphasized that threats against one faith community should concern all communities. CAIR-FL urged public officials, law enforcement, and community leaders to clearly condemn anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of bigotry.
The incident has renewed attention on the safety of mosques and other religious institutions in Florida and across the country. Muslim community leaders are urging vigilance, stronger communication with law enforcement, and solidarity from neighbors of all faiths.
Source attribution: This article is based on reporting from WCTV and public statements from CAIR-FL.
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O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). ~ Quran 49:13