SMFNews: Town Official Resigns After Calling Muslims ‘a Cancer’

Historic houses on Jordan Green in Waterford, Connecticut. Photo: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0

WATERFORD, Conn. — An elected member of Waterford’s Representative Town Meeting has resigned after writing in a Facebook comment that Muslims are “a cancer to this country,” according to The Day, a newspaper in New London, Connecticut.

Ursula Moreshead, who represented District 1 on the town’s legislative body, apologized in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 22, and resigned the same day. Her name has since been removed from the list of members on the town’s website, where the seat is now listed as vacant, The Day reported.

What she wrote

Moreshead posted the comment under another Facebook user’s post about a Muslim candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. “These are the conversations that Americans should be having instead of feeling sorry for Muslims,” she wrote. “They are a cancer to this country (and others).”

In her statement to The Day, Moreshead said she was “angry and scared” about extremist ideologies tied to “smaller radical groups around the world.” She added: “I see that my comments rightfully and deeply angered people, and for that I truly apologize.”

— Ursula Moreshead, statement to The Day, October 22, 2026

“My feelings of global discourse towards large radical groups do not reflect my feelings about my community or about the Waterford residents whatsoever,” she said. According to CT Insider, she also said, “I should know better and I will do better.”

Local and civil rights reaction

A local political town committee in Waterford condemned the comments as “hurtful and unacceptable,” The Day reported. “There is no place for religious intolerance, discrimination, or hateful language in our community,” the committee said. “Elected officials have a responsibility to represent and serve everyone in their community, regardless of their religion, background, or beliefs.”

The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) welcomed the apology in an Oct. 23 statement and called for follow-through.

— Farhan Memon, chairman, CAIR-Connecticut, October 23, 2026

“Accountability is an essential first step, but it must be followed by meaningful engagement, education, and a firm commitment to ensuring that all residents, regardless of their faith or background, feel safe, respected, and welcomed in our state,” said Farhan Memon, the chapter’s chairman.

Moreshead also works as an advanced clinical social worker in the Norwich office of the state Department of Children and Families, according to The Day. The department had not commented on the matter, the newspaper reported.

Why it matters

Local officials make decisions that touch the daily lives of every resident, including Muslim families. The quick apology and resignation in Waterford came as civil rights groups report rising anti-Muslim hostility nationwide: CAIR says it recorded 8,683 complaints of anti-Muslim bias in 2025, the most since it began publishing reports in 1996.

— Rahat Husain, executive director, Shia Muslim Foundation

“Public officials serve everyone, including the Muslim families in their towns. Accountability matters, and so does what comes next: getting to know the people you represent,” said Rahat Husain, executive director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.

Sources: The Day (Oct. 22, 2026); The Day (Oct. 23, 2026); CT Insider; CAIR (Oct. 23, 2026); Mahjar Post.

SMFNews: Man Charged With Arson After Fire at East Baltimore Mosque

A 52-year-old man has been charged after a fire at a mosque on Harford Road in East Baltimore on Oct. 25. Photo: Matthew Binebrink, CC BY-SA 4.0

BALTIMORE — A 52-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fire that engulfed a mosque on Harford Road in East Baltimore on Sunday evening, Oct. 25, police said. No one was hurt. Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the city’s arson unit believe the fire was deliberately set, WBAL-TV 11 News reported, but police have not alleged a hate-crime motive, and the mosque’s assistant imam told WBAL he understood the suspect was a member of the congregation.

Patrol officers and firefighters were called shortly after 5 p.m. to the 2600 block of Harford Road, in the city’s Coldstream Homestead Montebello neighborhood near Clifton Park, for a reported fire, FOX45 reported. When they arrived, officers found the mosque fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters put out the fire, and officers took a person of interest into custody at the scene, police told CBS Baltimore and The Baltimore Banner.

Charges filed Oct. 26

On Monday, Oct. 26, police charged the 52-year-old man with second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, threat of arson, malicious destruction of property valued at $1,000 or more, and reckless endangerment, FOX45 and CBS Baltimore reported. He has not been publicly identified in this story. Charges are allegations; he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

No hate-crime charge has been announced. Officials have not said what they believe the motive was. The mosque’s name has not been reported prominently in local coverage; police typically do not share the exact address of such incidents, The Baltimore Banner noted.

“This is an unfortunate incident. This set us back. Well, we’ve been here since 1980, you know, and, believe it or not, this is our first incident of this nature,” the mosque’s assistant imam told WBAL. He also said the mosque is “a place of peace” that encourages fellowship, and that, from his understanding, the person taken into custody is a member of the mosque.

What we still don’t know

Investigators are still examining the damage and looking for clues about how and why the fire was set, WBAL reported. The Banner said Monday evening that the cause remained under investigation even as charges were filed. The extent of the damage, and when worshippers may be able to return to the building, have not been made public. SMF News will update this story as police and fire officials release more information.

More than a building

For Muslims, a mosque is far more than a prayer hall. It is where the community gathers for daily prayers and the Friday congregational prayer, where families break their fast together in Ramadan, where children learn the Quran and the basics of their faith, and where newcomers and elders find a community. When a mosque is damaged, all of that is disrupted at once, and the shock is felt by Muslims well beyond a single congregation.

“Mosques must remain places of community, learning, and prayer,” Corey Saylor, research and advocacy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national Muslim civil rights group, said in September when CAIR and the North American Islamic Trust released an updated mosque safety guide.

Mosque safety in America

Whatever the motive turns out to be in this case — and none has been alleged as bias by police so far — many Muslim congregations across the country have been dealing with heightened safety concerns this year. On May 18, three men were killed when two teenage gunmen opened fire on the grounds of a mosque in San Diego, KPBS reported; the gunmen later killed themselves. CAIR said the men gave their lives protecting worshippers and children.

A month later, a UC San Diego survey of 312 Muslim adults in San Diego found that 88 percent said the shooting made them feel less safe in their community, and 74 percent said they worried more about their personal safety because they are Muslim, KPBS reported. Nearly half said they feel law enforcement does not take threats against Muslims seriously.

In July, CAIR said it had documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship in May, June and July, a 183 percent increase over the same three months a year earlier, including threats and intimidation. The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), in a spring security bulletin, assessed the threat of physical attacks against Muslims as “elevated” and reported an elevenfold increase in threats and attacks in March compared with January.

Federal figures capture only part of the picture. FBI hate crime statistics for 2025, released in August, recorded 205 anti-Muslim incidents reported by law enforcement agencies, down from 261 in 2024, according to an analysis by the Arab American Institute. Those numbers depend on what local agencies report, and advocacy groups track many incidents that never appear in police data.

Federal prosecutors have also brought cases. In July, the Justice Department announced federal charges against a Philadelphia man accused of setting a fire with an improvised incendiary device at a mosque in Northeast Philadelphia on July 5. Charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Resources for congregations

Mosques do not have to face these risks alone. Federal, state and community programs offer funding, training and guidance:

Federal security grants: FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program pays for security upgrades such as cameras, alert systems, gates, lighting and access control, as well as training. FEMA announced $300 million in fiscal 2026 awards in September to more than 1,600 nonprofits, including Muslim institutions. Nonprofits apply through their State Administrative Agency, not directly to FEMA.

Maryland security grants: In August, the state awarded $10 million in Protection Against Hate Crimes grants to 116 organizations in 16 counties and Baltimore City, with mosques among the recipients, for security personnel, access control, cameras, facility hardening and training. “People want to feel safe when they gather to worship or participate in community activities,” said Dorothy Lennig, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.

Montgomery County deadline: The county’s FY27 Nonprofit Security Grant offers $1.2 million in total, with up to $15,000 per facility for as many as four facilities. Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 29, at 11:59 p.m.

A new Maryland law: Since Oct. 1, state law makes it a misdemeanor to use force, the threat of force or physical obstruction to interfere with or injure someone lawfully exercising their religious beliefs at a place of worship, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.

Free assessment tools: The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers a free Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment that congregations can use to review their own facilities. CAIR and the North American Islamic Trust’s updated Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety Guide is written for mosque leaders.

Training in Maryland: CAIR Maryland is holding a free emergency preparedness summit for leaders of mosques, Islamic schools and Muslim organizations on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Ellicott City, covering threat assessment, facility security, coordination with law enforcement and emergency services, and security grants. Advance registration is required.

— Bassant Kadry, advisory board member, CAIR Maryland, September 22, 2026

“Our mosques, schools and community institutions deserve to remain places of worship, learning and belonging,” Bassant Kadry, a member of CAIR Maryland’s advisory board, said when the summit was announced.

Practical steps for mosque leaders

MPAC’s security recommendations urge mosques to limit open entrances during prayer times, especially Jumu’ah, keep secondary doors locked and monitored, greet every visitor, keep the grounds well lit at night, make sure cameras are working and recording, keep fire extinguishers serviced, clear brush and flammable materials from around the building, ask local police for extra patrols during prayer times and report every incident, even minor vandalism.

For fire safety, Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner recommends that places of worship light the exterior and all entrances, trim shrubs and trees so passing patrols can see the building, consider a combined burglary and fire alarm, keep sprinklers and extinguishers maintained, store flammable liquids properly away from sparks or flames, clean kitchen hood filters regularly, avoid overloading outlets and running extension cords under rugs, and report unsafe conditions or suspicious activity immediately.

What to watch

The key open questions in Baltimore are what investigators conclude about why the fire was set, whether additional charges will be filed, and when the congregation can return to the building. Until police and prosecutors release more findings, it is best to rely on official information rather than speculation.

Anyone with information can contact the Baltimore Police Department or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCK-UP.

Sources: CBS Baltimore (Oct. 26, 2026); FOX45 News (Oct. 25, updated Oct. 26, 2026); WBAL-TV 11 News (updated Oct. 26, 2026); The Baltimore Banner (Oct. 26, 2026); KPBS (June 18, 2026); CAIR (July 28, 2026); CAIR and NAIT (Sept. 16, 2026); CAIR Maryland (Sept. 22, 2026); MPAC; FBI/Justice Department; Arab American Institute; Justice Department (July 2026); FEMA; FEMA (Sept. 28, 2026); Office of Gov. Wes Moore (Aug. 25, 2026); Montgomery County; Maryland General Assembly; CISA; Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

SMFNews: American Shia Muslims Mourn the Death of Sayeda Fatima

The golden minaret of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, with a black mourning banner hanging from its balcony. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

WASHINGTON — American Shia Muslims are mourning the martyrdom of Sayeda Fatima al-Zahra (SA), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, at gatherings in mosques and community centers across the United States this weekend. In Najaf, Iraq, the shrine of her husband, Imam Ali, has been draped in black, according to the shrine's website. The commemoration is known as Ayyam-e-Fatimiyyah, or the Days of Fatima.

How American communities commemorate

In the United States, mosques and community centers mark the days with majalis, or gatherings, usually held in the evening, that bring together Quran recitation, sermons and elegies. Programs commonly include salam and marsiya (salutations and elegies), an English-language speech, matam and noha (communal mourning and laments), and ziyarat, a prayer of greeting. Some end with niaz, a shared meal.

Programs differ from center to center, so anyone who wishes to attend should check a local center's schedule.

Why she matters to American Muslims

For many Shia families in the United States, Fatima is a model for believers to follow as well as a figure of grief. Oxford Bibliographies in Islamic Studies says Shia tradition presents her as an exemplary model for believers to imitate, and the Encyclopaedia of Islam notes the veneration given to her across the Muslim world.

Farhana Kassamali offered this reflection. "For me, Sayeda Fatima is a model of quiet strength. These days of remembrance are a chance for American Muslims to pause, reflect and care for one another," said Farhana Kassamali, communications director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.

— Farhana Kassamali, communications director of the Shia Muslim Foundation

Rahat Husain also offered a reflection. "Sayeda Fatima is the daughter of the Prophet, and every Muslim in America, whatever their background, holds her in love and respect. These days of mourning remind us of her patience, her faith and her devotion to her family," said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.

— Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation

The sections below explain who she was, why she is mourned, and how the Shrine of Imam Ali is preparing.

Who was Sayeda Fatima al-Zahra?

Fatima, also called al-Zahra, Arabic for "the Shining One," was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife, Khadija. She married Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin, and was the mother of Hasan and Husain, according to Britannica. Together with her husband, her sons and their descendants, she belongs to the Ahl al-Bayt, "the People of the House," the Prophet's family, Britannica explains.

Britannica says she is especially important to Shia Muslims because they regard Ali as the Prophet's rightful heir and the first of their Imams, and her sons Hasan and Husain as the next inheritors of the Prophet's tradition. She is honored well beyond the Shia community. The Encyclopaedia of Islam describes her as the object of "great veneration by all Muslims," while noting that Shia Muslims have given her particular prominence.

Why Shia Muslims mourn her

Shia Muslims believe that Sayeda Fatima died as a martyr from injuries she suffered after the Prophet's passing, and they observe the anniversary of her martyrdom each year in commemorations called Fatimiyya or Ayyam-e-Fatimiyyah. They mark the days with grief and remembrance. Fatima died in Medina months after her father, according to Britannica.

How the Shrine of Imam Ali is preparing

In Najaf, the shrine of Imam Ali has been draped in black. In a report titled "Installation of Fatimi Mourning Banners at the Holy Alawi Shrine," the Imam Ali Holy Shrine's English-language website said on Oct. 23 that the shrine "has been draped in black on the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatimah."

The golden façade and two minarets of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, seen through a tiled archway. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Photographs published with the report show workers on mechanical lifts hanging black banners with white Arabic calligraphy across the tiled, arched walls of the shrine's courtyard, including above a gate marked Al-Qiblah Gate. One long vertical banner carries the name Fatima in red Arabic lettering.

Workers on a lift hang black banners on the tiled, arched walls of the shrine. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Black banners hang above the Al-Qiblah Gate. One vertical banner carries the name Fatima in red Arabic lettering. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

A black banner also hangs from the balcony of a golden minaret, as seen in the photo at the top of this story. Other pictures show a column wrapped in black cloth with calligraphy panels, and a banner at the foot of an arched balcony where two men stand.

A worker on a scissor lift beside a column draped in black cloth with calligraphy panels. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

A black banner with white calligraphy below an arched balcony where two men stand. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

In another image, workers hoist a large black banner with a red border beneath the tiled arches. Close-ups show the white calligraphy and the red-and-white medallions on the banners, trimmed in green.

Workers hoist a large black banner with a red border beneath the tiled arches. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

A close-up of a black banner with a red-and-white calligraphic medallion, trimmed in green. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Long black banners also run along the courtyard wall above the shrine's red carpets. The report gives no details on the shrine's program, how long the banners will stay up, or what ceremonies are planned, and SMF has not independently verified more than the shrine's report and photographs.

A long black banner with white calligraphy along the courtyard wall, above the shrine's red carpet. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

What comes next

Some centers have scheduled evening programs on Oct. 23, 24 and 25. SMF will follow the commemorations as they continue.