President Barack Obama sent the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, the mosque that beheading suspect Alton Nolen reportedly attended, a special message on Saturday thanking them for their “service.”
An Obama administration official apparently hand-delivered the message from the president.
“Your service is a powerful example of the powerful roots of the Abrahamic faiths and how our communities can come together with shared peace with dignity and a sense of justice,” Obama said.
Sr. Imam for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City Imad Enchassi addresses reporters at a news conference outside of the Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2014 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
Sr. Imam for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City Imad Enchassi addresses reporters at a news conference outside of the Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2014 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford)
The faith leaders of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City claim Muslims in the area have been receiving threats after Nolen — a Muslim convert — allegedly beheaded a female co-worker at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma.
During his Saturday sermon, the Imam also said Islam is under attack and has been called a “cancer that needs to be cut off from the American society,” according to KFOR-TV.
Last week, a man who claims to have attended the mosque said the “mosque will not promote terrorism or any kind of radical acts, but when they’re among friends and congregants only, they will promote the true teachings of Islam, which include the offer to non-Muslims – the choice rather that you must convert, live under Islamic rule, or be fought against. Jihad, for the sake of Allah.”
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, also alleged that he was taught at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City that suicide bombings against Israel are justified because it’s “the only weapon the Palestinians have, but do not mention this to the media because they would not understand.”
Watch the full interview with the alleged mosque attendee via Fox News:

Prosecutors are expected to seek the death penalty against Nolen.