ABC 7: Chicago-area safety concerns arise after anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic threats amid Middle East conflict

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Multiple anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic threats and acts have been reported in the Chicago area this week as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

A suburban Islamic school was closed Friday after leaders there said a threatening letter was received in the mail on Thursday.

The Al Aqsa School in Bridgeview was quiet Friday as students learn remotely from home because of a threatening letter sent to the school on Thursday. Friday prayers have extra security.

The spokesman for the mosque said he has seen fewer people attend services on Friday.

"People are nervous and scared," said Bridgeview Mosque Foundation Spokesperson Oussama Jammal. "It is very unfortunate that we are going in a super-power country, a country, land that is supposedly of free and democracy, that people are scared."