Foiled terror plot headline draws urgent response from Shia Muslim leaders

A new statement from the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America calls the recently disrupted plan to bomb IEC Husaini in Glendale Heights Illinois “an attack on the right to worship and a warning sign of rising anti Muslim hate.” The statement opens with Qur’an 22:40, reminding readers that God protects houses of worship when people stand together. The Council stresses that the attempt took aim at Muharram gatherings that honor Imam Hussain’s stand against oppression, making the threat even more severe.

“We unequivocally condemn the plot to attack a Shia Muslim mosque in Glendale Heights during the sacred month of Muharram ... Anti Muslim speech and attacks on houses of worship are increasing in frequency.”— Council of Shia Muslim Scholars

View the statement here

The statement from the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America was signed by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Council.

Court filings show a sixteen year old Lombard male entered IEC Husaini on July 4, recorded prayer areas, and returned on July 12 carrying a hidden handgun while planning an explosive strike. He now faces counts of attempted terrorism and unlawful firearm possession and remains in detention. Officials credit a joint FBI and DuPage County investigation for stopping the plan.

The statement links the danger to unchecked Islamophobic rhetoric and biased media coverage that normalise hate. The Council urges police to boost patrols around Shia centers and asks public figures to drop inflammatory language.

SMF echoes these concerns. The timing of this plot — during Muharram, a period of mourning and reflection for millions of Shia Muslims — is a direct attack on religious freedom. It is also a chilling reminder that houses of worship, meant to be safe havens, remain vulnerable.

SMF fully supports the Council’s call to action. We demand immediate federal and state-level resources to protect Shia Islamic centers across the United States, especially during sensitive times like Muharram. We also urge all community organizations to adopt robust security measures and to maintain active cooperation with local law enforcement.

The Shia Muslim Foundation stands united with the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars, and all Muslim organizations in demanding accountability, stronger security, and an end to the rhetoric that emboldens violent actors.

FBI Foils Attempted Terrorist Attack at Shia Mosque in Illinois

July 18, 2025

Attempted Bombing Plot Foiled at Shia Mosque in Illinois: SMF Calls for Urgent Action

Washington, DC – The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) is sounding the alarm following the arrest of a 16-year-old from Lombard, Illinois, charged with plotting a terrorist attack against IEC Husaini, a prominent Shia mosque in Glendale Heights. The FBI and local law enforcement prevented what could have been a mass-casualty event during religious services at the center.

According to law enforcement, the teenager entered IEC Husaini on July 4 during active worship, filming the building’s layout and congregation—allegedly for the purpose of planning an explosive attack. He was later found in possession of a concealed firearm. Investigators uncovered evidence that he intended to use the footage and weapons to carry out a deadly assault. He is now in custody facing felony charges including attempted terrorism.

“This wasn’t a hate crime gone too far. This was a deliberate, premeditated attempt to massacre American Muslims during worship,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “Without rapid intervention from the FBI and state officials, we could be mourning dozens of lives today.”

IEC Husaini has long served as a religious, educational, and civic hub for the Shia Muslim community in Illinois. It is among the most active Shia centers in the Midwest, drawing thousands for events such as Muharram commemorations, Ramadan services, and interfaith gatherings.

This is not an isolated incident. In 2022, a separate plot to attack a Shia mosque in the Chicago area was foiled by the FBI. That case involved a Maine man and two teens—one from Illinois—planning a joint ISIS-inspired assault. These are not lone actors; these are part of a rising trend of targeted anti-Shia threats and violent extremism.

“An attempted act of terrorism, as alleged in this case, achieves the same goals of spreading fear, dividing our communities and undermining the rule of law, as does an act of terrorism,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “The allegations against this juvenile are extremely serious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. I am extremely proud to be part of a team of federal and local officials whose shared dedication to public safety and ability to work together toward a common goal prevented what could have been a horrible tragedy. I commend the Chicago Field Office of the FBI for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our citizens throughout the state safe. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Lombard Police Department for their work and assistance on this case as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Catizone for his efforts in preparing a strong case against the juvenile.”

DOJ official statement: https://www.dupagecounty.gov/state_s_attorney/lombard_juvenile_charged_with_attempt_terrorism_at_1507.php

SMF Demands Federal Recognition of the Pattern

SMF is calling on the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to formally recognize the pattern of targeted violence against Shia institutions and to launch an investigation into anti-Shia extremism as a distinct domestic terrorism threat.

“We cannot allow plots like this to be minimized or miscategorized,” said Husain. “If this attack had targeted a church or synagogue, it would dominate national headlines. Shia Muslims should not have to die before this country acknowledges the danger.”

Call to Action

SMF urges:

• Federal and state law enforcement to increase protections for Shia Muslim institutions

• DOJ to pursue federal terrorism and hate crime charges where applicable

• Public officials to speak out immediately against anti-Shia hate

• Community members to report all suspicious activity and threats to law enforcement

About IEC Husaini:

IEC Husaini is one of the Midwest’s largest Shia Muslim institutions, founded in 1993. It serves as a religious, educational, and civic hub for the Shia community in Illinois, known for its outreach, community service, and interfaith engagement.

About the Shia Muslim Foundation:

SMF is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington, DC. It defends the civic and religious rights of Shia Muslims in the United States and advocates for greater awareness of anti-Shia violence at home and abroad.

Press Contact:

Farhana Kassamali

Director of Communications

farhana@shiamuslimfoundation.com

SMF Commends SPACE’s “Shia Intern Connect” for Empowering and Uniting Shia Youth Across North America

Washington, D.C. – The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) is proud to commend SPACE (Shia Professional Academic Conference & Empowerment) for its launch of the Shia Intern Connect initiative—an innovative, youth-driven program designed to foster mentorship, professional support, and community ties among Shia Muslim students and interns across North America.

Launched in Summer 2025, Shia Intern Connect offers a straightforward but powerful tool: connecting Shia Muslim interns through regional group chats. These informal spaces allow students to meet, share advice, build relationships, and navigate their summer internships together. Whether interns are in government, tech, nonprofit, academia, or corporate settings, the program provides a low-barrier, high-impact method for creating meaningful connections and addressing the often-isolating nature of being a visible Muslim in professional spaces.

This effort reflects a broader mission led by SPACE: to create structured, intentional space for Shia Muslim youth to learn, network, express creativity, and prepare for impactful futures. The organization was established by young Shia professionals to fill long-standing gaps in mentorship, career preparation, and identity-affirming spaces. Through annual conferences, themed workshops, creative programming, and grassroots initiatives like Shia Intern Connect, SPACE has quickly become one of the most significant youth-led Shia platforms in the West.

“We deeply respect what SPACE is building,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “Programs like Shia Intern Connect don’t just support young people—they help rewire our community’s future. They give Shia youth tools, relationships, and encouragement to step forward, lead, and shape the institutions around them. SMF stands behind this effort fully.”

In addition to Intern Connect, SPACE has previously held successful conferences in Los Angeles and Vancouver, bringing together hundreds of attendees, dozens of mentors, speakers, and workshop leaders to explore everything from Islamic identity in the arts to navigating law school or launching a startup. Their focus areas—Education, Creativity, and Professionalism—reflect a strategic understanding of the challenges facing today’s Shia youth.

SMF views this kind of work as essential to the broader goals of civic engagement and religious identity. As an organization that advocates for the rights and representation of Shia Muslims, both domestically and globally, SMF believes that empowering the next generation of leaders is a long-term investment in the strength and future of the American Shia community.

“This is about more than networking,” Husain added. “It’s about transforming how we see each other—students seeing themselves as professionals, as capable, as part of something larger. That’s the real power of what SPACE is doing.”

SMF encourages students and young professionals to take advantage of the Shia Intern Connect program by visiting bit.ly/ShiaInternsConnect and urges community leaders and institutions to partner with and support SPACE’s ongoing work.

---

About the Shia Muslim Foundation

The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., committed to advancing the civil, political, and religious rights of Shia Muslims in the United States and internationally. Through policy advocacy, civic engagement, educational programs, and community support initiatives, SMF seeks to elevate the visibility, dignity, and leadership of the Shia community.

About SPACE

SPACE (Shia Professional Academic Conference & Empowerment) is a youth-led organization that creates platforms for Shia Muslim youth to learn, network, express creativity, and grow professionally. It caters to the educational, creative, and career development needs of Shia students and early-career professionals in the West, with a focus on mentorship, leadership, and identity-centered engagement.