The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the U.S., said Tuesday it welcomes the release of a 13-minute audio recording in which a Villages resident allegedly made racist and anti-Muslim threats against Maricopa’s only mosque. 

The Maricopa Police Department released the recording Monday after a Freedom of Information request by InMaricopa. In the Aug. 3 call to the Masjid Bilal Rabah Mosque, on Cesar Chavez Lane in the Heritage District, the caller repeatedly used slurs and profanities, threatened a “crusade” against Muslims and affirmed he would be “one of the attackers.”

The threats came in as the mosque hosted Sunday school for children, police reports state. 

Police identified the caller as 36-year-old Mark Antonio Martinez, who was arrested Aug. 29 on suspicion of making threats and on an unrelated warrant. He was arraigned Sept. 3 in Maricopa Municipal Court and is scheduled for another pre-trial conference Sept. 23. 

“We welcome the Maricopa Police Department’s release of this audio and the fact that law enforcement authorities have taken this alleged threat seriously,” CAIR Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said in a statement. “The chilling nature of these messages is a stark reminder of the ongoing danger that the Muslim and other minority communities face. No community should live in fear of violence or harassment because of their religious identity.” 

Mosque leaders told police the threats were especially frightening because children were present. Officers provided extra patrols that day.

Detectives said Martinez admitted calling the mosque, telling investigators he was angry and believed Muslims were “here to convert everyone.” He denied plans to harm anyone and claimed his “crusade” references were biblical allusions. Reports also noted the FBI had previously documented calls in which Martinez allegedly used antisemitic language and wished death on a member of Congress. 

CAIR said it is monitoring the case and offering support to the mosque. The group also highlighted its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet, noting its advice applies to all houses of worship. 

The release of the Maricopa threats comes amid elevated levels of reported hate incidents nationwide. The FBI logged 11,679 hate-crime incidents last year, including 2,699 tied to religion. CAIR reported 8,658 anti-Muslim or anti-Arab complaints last year, the highest in its 30-year history. 

CAIR on Tuesday also urged authorities to investigate a reported shooting attack on a Muslim woman in Capitol Heights, Md., as a possible hate crime. The group announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

InMaricopa talked to leaders at the Masjid Bilal Rabah Mosque, who asked for time to respond. They have not yet made public statements.