FBI has ‘positive developments’ in Springfield Quran burning investigation

By Rizwan Khatik - Thu Jun 28, 5:51 am

More than a year after charred remains of three Qurans were found outside the Islamic Center of Springfield, a local FBI agent said there have been “positive developments” in the investigation.

Although his comments were brief, Josh Nixon, supervisor of the Springfield-based FBI office, said agents remain “fully” engaged in the investigation.

In April 2011, the burned Qurans and a threatening letter targeting Muslims were found at the Islamic Center, 2151 E. Division St.

Shortly afterward, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed an investigation into possible civil rights violations, but until Monday, there had not been an update on the case.

The anonymous letter discovered at the center said that Muslims “stain the earth,” and the author vowed “Islam will not survive.”

Leaders of the Islamic center said the Qurans were found near the building’s entrance by a man on his way to worship.

The threat prompted a community event in which city and community leaders condemned the acts against the city’s Muslim community.

Two other acts of vandalism occurred at the center weeks before the threatening letter appeared.

In January 2011, members of the Islamic center discovered bright red, spray-painted graffiti on exterior walls that carried hateful messages.

Two days later, vandals broke off an exterior water spigot.