(JTA) — Miami-area Jews are reported to be on edge after Muslim women wearing hijabs entered one local synagogue twice as well as two others asking questions about the congregations.
The women twice visited Congregation Beth Israel in North Miami Beach — the first time on Feb. 12 right before the start of Shabbat, and again this week, according to local reports citing police. They reportedly asked about the times of services and programs, the numbers of participants and the busiest times at the synagogue, the local ABC affiliate reported.
One of the women reportedly pulled out a Quran during a visit.
Similar visits occurred at two other Miami-area synagogues, according to reports. A male and female Muslim also approached two children in the area asking them similar questions, according to ABC.
The FBI reportedly is involved in the investigation. No crime has been committed.
“North Miami Beach Police are in receipt of a suspicious incident at a temple in North Miami Beach. We are working with multiple agencies to identify the people involved,” said a statement issued by police and published by the local CBS affiliate.
WSVN TV in Miami reported that law enforcement sources told the news station that one of the women seen in surveillance video from the synagogue has terminal cancer and was visiting different houses of worship with her mother to learn about different religions.
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