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US Muslim advocacy group's headquarters evacuated | US Muslim advocacy group's headquarters evacuated |
(35 minutes later) | |
A leading Muslim organisation in the US has evacuated its headquarters in Washington after the discovery of a "suspicious" substance in the post. | A leading Muslim organisation in the US has evacuated its headquarters in Washington after the discovery of a "suspicious" substance in the post. |
Two employees of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) were initially quarantined inside the building. | |
After opening a piece of post they experienced headaches and are coughing, Nihad Awad told the BBC. | After opening a piece of post they experienced headaches and are coughing, Nihad Awad told the BBC. |
Initial tests showed that the powder is not hazardous, the BBC has learned. | |
The BBC's James Reevell at the scene says the package is now being passed to the FBI for further inspection. | |
The rest of the staff are outside while emergency crews respond. | The rest of the staff are outside while emergency crews respond. |
In recent days, President Barack Obama has warned against anti-Muslim sentiment in the wake of deadly terror attacks in San Bernardino, California. | |
Mr Awad tweeted that the office was "evacuated by DC Fire Dept after receiving envelope with suspicious powdered substance [with] hate message". | Mr Awad tweeted that the office was "evacuated by DC Fire Dept after receiving envelope with suspicious powdered substance [with] hate message". |
The group's lawyer posted a message on Facebook that said: "It's frightening to experience the hate manifest itself to such a real level. This will not deter us from continuing to protect the civil rights and liberties of all Americans." | |
Police have cordoned off the area, which is located about a half-mile (0.73km) from the US Capitol building. | |
According to its website, the CAIR is an "organisation that challenges stereotypes of Islam and Muslims". | According to its website, the CAIR is an "organisation that challenges stereotypes of Islam and Muslims". |