Multiple attendees pass out at over-capacity event at Minneapolis Islamic center

Emergency officials had to intervene Thursday night after multiple people passed out inside a packed speaking event at an Islamic center in south Minneapolis.

A large crowd flocked to Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center for a speaking engagement featuring Muslim scholar Ustaadh Abu Taymiyyah. Fire crews were called to the building after reports of adults and children “fainting and getting injured” because it was filled past capacity, the Minneapolis Fire Department said.

Fire officials said 10 or more people were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. MFD also said first responders had trouble reaching the area because of a “deadlock of traffic and parked cars.”

Minneapolis police say they don’t believe any criminal activity was done, and all of the medical emergencies may have been due to the large crowd.

“The building at Abubakar Masjid is over capacity,” event co-host Stronger Together Minnesota said in a statement on its Instagram story. “If you are on the way please understand there is no more space to park or space in the masjid. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Two more lectures were scheduled for Friday; however, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has learned Stronger Together Minnesota has canceled the Khutbah previously scheduled at Abubaker Masjid as well as The Brothers event that was going to be held Friday evening.

The organizer said, “with regard to the challenges arising from capacity issues – we take responsibility and will work to review all of the day’s events for lessons learned.”

As of Thursday night, authorities said no decision had been made on whether police or fire officials will monitor the crowd size at Friday’s events.