CAIR-Arizona Welcomes Charges in Alleged Plot Targeting Muslim and Jewish Religious Sites

CAIR-Arizona Welcomes Charges in Alleged Plot Targeting Muslim and Jewish Religious Sites
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The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) has welcomed felony charges against a 27-year-old man accused of planning a mass-casualty attack targeting Muslim or Jewish religious sites and called on federal authorities to pursue similar charges.

According to prosecutors and court records, Matthew Bjornholt was arrested following an FBI investigation into an alleged plot involving explosives and firearms. Investigators said the suspect discussed attacking a Jewish or Muslim place of worship during an upcoming holiday and targeting people after bombs detonated.

CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif praised law enforcement for responding to the alleged threat, condemned religious hatred and extremism, and urged faith communities to strengthen security at religious facilities.

The organisation also highlighted a rise in reported attacks on mosques, stating that it documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship during May, June and July, compared with six during the same period a year earlier. CAIR further reported receiving 8,683 complaints of anti-Muslim bias in 2025, the highest annual figure in its civil rights reporting history.