A Monday evening rally to celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden has been cancelled due to security concerns, reports CBS affiliate KOIN.
“Just the reaction of last nights’ news has been different, in different communities and we have been getting emails. Some have been supportive - sending best wishes and there are really ‘out there’ emails,” said Salma Ahmad, President of the Islamic Society of Greater Portland.
Ahmad didn’t go into detail about the threats but it could be coming from both people who have an axe to grind with Muslims and Muslims who sympathize with Osama Bin Laden and his principles.
Whatever the threat was it was enough to cancel the rally which was to take place at Pioneer Courthouse Square between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Ahmed says news of Bin Laden’s death has brought a sense of closure.
“He has become such a symbol that has hurt the image of American Muslins. He has hurt lots of different lives around the world,” she said.
Ahmed says her organization hopes to have a rally in the future, perhaps on Sept. 11, the tenth anniversary of the attacks, but nothing has been set in stone.