(AhlulBayt News Agency) - A woman was arrested after she demanded money and threatened violence at the At-Tawheed Islamic Center in Michigan on Monday, Kentwood Police Capt. Richard Roberts said.
Police responded to the Center at 3357 E. Paris Ave. SE at 8:47 a.m. after a caller reported a woman was standing outside the mosque, covering her face and holding a gun.
Roberts said a service was not going on at the time, and the mosque door was locked, but a small group of people inside heard the woman pulling on the door.
Members inside answered, and the woman demanded money. She indicated she had a weapon in her purse and Roberts said she referred to "blowing something up."
Roberts said as one member attempted to calm the woman down, another called 911. The threat prompted a lockdown, and a Michigan State Police bomb squad vehicle responded to the center.
A police robot checked a jacket and purse left outside the center. The woman's vehicle, parked in a lot other than the center's, was also investigated.
Roberts said no weapons were discovered and the woman was taken into custody. No one was injured during the incident.
The woman was reportedly at the center last week and asked for scarves, which she received. Roberts said there was not any other prior contact with the woman and the center.
Metwalli, a board member at the Center, said if the woman had come when the building was open to ask for financial assistance, members would have found a way to help her. "We could have helped her out to solve whatever problem she have," Metwalli noted.
He said he was not as scared of the situation as someone might have assumed.
"We're not scared because we know that our interaction with the community ... we're always protected by our community, and we have a good relationship," Metwalli said.
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