Austin police detonated a backpack Sunday at the North Austin Muslim Community Center on Lamar Boulevard after a former member claimed it contained a bomb.
Police were called before 4 p.m. in response to a bomb threat at the center, when a man went to the center and announced he had a bomb in his backpack. Police shut down traffic for several blocks near the center and detonated the backpack in the center’s parking lot.
Police arrested Azzam Baytie, 46, for terroristic threat and criminal trespass over the incident.
Terroristic threat is a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, Baytie faces up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine for the terroristic threat as well as 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine for the criminal trespass charge.
Center members said Baytie was a former member and had a history of mental illness. Baytie was previously issued a restraining order after abusing the center’s 24-hour availability for prayers, a center member said.
Center prayer leader Islam Mossaad said nothing like this had ever happened at the center.
“It’s a relief that nothing serious actually took place,” Mossaad said, adding that he was sad Baytie’s mental condition caused him to act in a destructive manner.
Mossaad said the incident was unfortunate publicity for the center following their carnival Saturday celebrating Eid, the end of Ramadan. Both Mayor Will Wynn and Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo attended the carnival, Mossaad said.
Mossaad said the center will continue to serve Muslims in the Austin community despite the
incident.
ISLAM, with the nama of ALLAH oneness & Muhammad SAW the prophecy of all ummahs, had taught people to live religiously on every parts needed for our life & nothing of his taught to shorten of our life. As we mentioned, ISLAM is a chosen by ALLAH & IT will sustainable forever. We have to work on with the facts of our religion as many people will realise to truth of ISLAM is happening every second of our life. There is many ways we could do for bringing up the truth of our religion, losing your own life & killing others, mightn't be a peaceful solution. As we knew hatred among people with religions, races...etc these could be the worst problems on earth that people are facing throughout the revolutions of humans being till today.
People need to be gather & think of the real life as why we are got here & always get the best solution from the best people thats always 'value of life'. We are sure to the people of the World that 'ISLAM' has given a light to humans being provided they read & understand the QUR'AN & HADITHs that had given to us. And make sure that we learn from the true religious teachers that recognised by all.Mohd Singapore