ABC 7: CAIR-Chicago Seeks Probe of Fake Mosque Website
CAIR-Chicago is working with state and national law enforcement to investigate a fake website purporting to represent the Islamic Center of Wheaton. The fake site is plastered with hate-filled and defamatory claims about Islam and the center.
WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) -- There is a call for state and national law enforcement to investigate a fake website containing hurtful claims about the Islamic Center of Wheaton.
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is outraged. It says the fraudulent web page was created last week. Now, the search is on as police - and perhaps soon the FBI - want to find out who created it.
A closer look at the fake website for the Islamic Center of Wheaton reveals disturbing topics: a child holding a weapon and what looks like an ISIS flag; "Paris: In praise of the martyrs" reads one link, with the Eiffel Tower colored in red; and images of destruction from the aftermath of 9/11.
"It is clearly purporting to misrepresent the center," said Ahmed Rehab, CAIR executive director.
CAIR has reached out to the FBI. Wheaton police are already investigating.
"They're trying to put these radical images and words, into the mouth of the center through this fake impersonation meant to hurt the community and the center," Rehab said.
The fake site praises the couple who carried out the San Bernardino attacks and also calls Wheaton College administrators "crusaders". The college is trying to terminate Professor Larycia Hawkins for showing support toward Muslims.
"To me it's concern about the safety of the community because it's somebody clearly wanting to maliciously misrepresent that mosque," Rehab said.
CAIR says the fake website sent emails to several Wheaton employees, including the mayor.
As of Monday night, the website was still accessible on the internet.