On October 29, 2010, President Barack Obama declared that authorities had uncovered a “credible terrorist threat” against the United States following the overseas discovery of U.S.-bound packages containing explosives aboard cargo jets, with both packages addressed to Jewish organizations in the Chicago area.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago responded immediately by expressing solidarity with their Jewish neighbors.

“Illinois Muslims stand united with our Jewish partners and organizations in condemning this terrorist and heinous act,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, chairperson of the Council. “There is no place in Islam for terrorizing innocent people or spreading mayhem.”

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago is a federation of 63 mosques and Muslim organizations throughout the metropolitan Chicago region. The Council’s members collectively represent over 400,000 Muslims.