Store Evacuates After Confusion Over Muslim Prayers

May 15, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/135/metro/Praying_Muslims_lead_to_evacuation+.shtml

On May 15, 2002, The Boston Globe reported "Praying Muslims lead to evacuation: Religious ritual alarms manager." The article explained, "A nervous manager created a stir last night after she saw four Muslim men saying their evening prayers at the BJ's wholesale club and called authorities, fearing that the group was about to launch a terror attack, officials said. The manager called Stoughton police, who called State Police. A bomb squad was deployed to the store as it was evacuated. The Stoughton Fire Department also sent a squad of firefighters with a fire truck. Until they called the FBI in Boston, local authorities apparently didn't know that Muslims typically pray five times a day, including once around sunset, Stoughton Police Lieutenant Francis Wohlgemuth said."