The FBI and the South Carolina Joint Terrorism Task Force have contacted members of a Florence Islamic Center, after someone defaced the mosque with a message spelled out with strips of bacon.
Florence Police aren't sure if the FBI will get involved in the investigation, but the investigation has taken a new direction.
The Florence Islamic Center is under close watch by surveillance cameras installed by Florence Police.
Members of the mosque are relieved to have the extra eyes, because of what happened there last week. Someone vandalized their center - spelling out "pig chops" or "pig chumps" with slices of bacon. The members don't eat pork and consider the use of it on their property offensive.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations or CAIR called on the FBI to investigate, and agents met with members of the mosque just recently.
But then this week, Mushtaq Hussain got a threatening message on his voicemail about the mosque.
"I just laugh you know. What these people's minds go through. I will pray for him, God give him guidance," said Hussain.
Florence Police are investigating the voicemail.
In the meantime, some good has come out of what happened. Someone left flowers with a nice note on the steps of the mosque. The members say it makes them feel good that people care.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked the mosque for permission to put up a sign there saying, "Give peas a chance - go vegan. Nonviolence begins on your plate."
Mosque members plan to meet in the coming days to consider the request.
