A leader of the Islamic Center of Rochester responds to the recent arrest and arraignment of Emanuel Lutchman, the 25-year-old Rochester man accused of planning an ISIL-related attack for New Years Eve.
Islamic Center President Sareer Fazili says he hopes people are cautious about how they label the accused.
"It seems as though Mr. Lutchman has a lot going on, has had a lot going on in his life: he's had some unfortunate issues with the law previously, he's had some issues with mental health, and it seems as though he's a guy that is looking for some help and attention. Doesn't strike me as being somebody who really is so-called radicalized. "
Fazili says he does not know whether Lutchman visited the Islamic Center for religious or spiritual services, but he says, if anyone within the community were expressing thoughts about violence, the Center would address it.
"We would try to get the guy some, or woman for that matter, any kind of in-house counseling. We would get our imams involved, there are many imams not only in our house but in other houses of worship. Maybe we would recommend, or see about medical or psychological issues."
Fazili says, at the Center, they haven't seen anyone exhibiting any behavior that would give them pause. But he says his awareness is raised, just like everyone else, and not just as a Muslim, but as a Rochestarian.
