Islamberg was settled by a group of mostly black Muslim families in the 1980s,[2] who sought to escape the troubles of New York City.[3] The group was inspired by Sufi Cleric Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani and sought a more "peaceful and holy Muslim life".[4][5] Islamberg has a population of about 200,[2] along with its own grocery store, bookstore, and school.[3] The community serves as the headquarters of Muslims of America, which seeks to promote an understanding of Islam.[6]
Although relations with neighboring communities are cooperative,[5] Islamberg has repeatedly faced threats and persecution originating from false right-wing conspiracy theories spread online.[7] Right-wing groups, such as Info Wars,[8] have claimed that Islamberg is a training center for terrorists, claims which local law enforcement and state police investigators say are untrue.[6]
In November 2015, Jon Ritzheimer, of Phoenix, Arizona, made news for threatening an attack on Islamberg.[9] In June 2017, a Tennessee man, Robert Doggart, was sentenced to almost 20 years in prison for plotting an attack on Islamberg.[10][11] In January 2019, three men and one male minor were arrested for plotting an attack on Islamberg with explosives.[12][13][14] Police found 23 firearms and three homemade bombs that investigators claim were going to be used to attack the hamlet.[15]
