5:30 P.M. UPDATE:

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — Leaders of a Muslim community in Delaware County decried Islamophobia and stated they are peaceful members of the Southern Tier after a group of individuals from western New York were arrested under the suspicion of plotting an attack on the community

During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Muslims of America held a press conference in downtown Binghamton to give their response on the arrests, announced on Tuesday.

Khalifa Hussein Adams, of Muslims of America, chalked the alleged plot up to a hateful act of Islamophobia.

“Islamaphobia as we have mentioned in the past has proven to be a lucrative business– a business that trades in hate and produces terrorists bent on executing the nefarious plots to destroy Muslims, even their fellow Americans,” Adams said.

During the press conference, the emphasis was reiterating to the community that Islamberg is a normal, peaceful community. Officials said the children of Islamberg play sports in the local community, doctors from Islamberg have delivered babies in the Southern Tier, and that the people of Islamberg have solid relationships with local law enforcement, mainly New York State Police.

“If this plan– God protect us all, the almighty creator protect us all from these things– but if this plan was to have went through, members of your community would have been harmed. Members of your community would have been killed,” Islamberg Mayor Rashid Clark stated. “We are part of the normal community. We are citizens of the United States. We are functioning residents. We hold jobs, we are doctors, lawyers, engineers, construction workers. We’re normal people.”

The suspects in the plot includes four people ranging in age from 16-20 years old. All are from Greece, New York and the 16-year-old is confirmed to be a student at Greece Odyssey Academy.

Police say they found 23 guns and three improvised explosive devices in the suspects’ possession.

Wednesday’s press conference was carried on the 12 News Facebook page in its entirety. You can watch it below:

ORIGINAL STORY:

(WBNG) — Following the arrests of four people accused of planning an attack with homemade bombs on a Muslim community in Delaware County, the community’s leaders are speaking out.

Muslims of America is the organization that runs the small Muslim community of Islamberg, which is in the Hancock area.

Four suspects, three adults and a 16-year-old, in Greece, New York have been arrested and charged in the alleged plot. Police say they found nearly two dozen guns and three improvised explosive devices, which were made with mason jars and duct tape, and were filled with BBs and nails.

Related: Three homemade bombs, nearly two dozen firearms seized in plot against Muslim community in Hancock

In the statement, the organization praised state and local law enforcement for informing them of the alleged plan, and the Greece Odyssey Academy student who informed law enforcement of a suspicious comment one of the suspects, a 16-year-old fellow student, is accused of making.

“It is beyond tragic that our nation continues to fester with Islamophobia, hate and religious intolerance,” the statement reads in part. “To bring justice and properly deter similar terrorist plots against our community, we are calling for the individuals charged, as well as their accomplices, to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will follow these proceedings closely.”

A press conference from Muslim of America officials is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday. We will carry the press conference live on the 12 News Facebook page.

You can also view the press conference live below:

The full statement from Muslims of America can be read below:

“The Muslims of America, Inc. (TMOA) has been made aware of the arrests of four individuals for their alleged involvement in plotting to bomb and murder members of the Islamberg community. First and foremost, we, as believers, express our sincere gratitude to God Almighty for we recognize that it is only through His protection and grace was this heinous plot thwarted. Secondly, we would like to publicly acknowledge the tireless efforts of the state, local and federal law enforcement officers who have, once again, intervened to prevent a would-be massacre of our humble community. We applaud the young student who saved scores of American lives by reporting that something was wrong. Finally, we are thankful that representatives from Governor Cuomo’s office have been in contact with our community to offer support and assistance during this difficult time. The fear and utter dismay that sent shockwaves throughout the children and adults in our community over the past several days is not unlike the panic and unease which our community endured after learning that Robert Doggart and his co-conspirators were planning a similar massacre in 2015.

It is beyond tragic that our nation continues to fester with Islamophobia, hate and religious intolerance. To bring justice and properly deter similar terrorist plots against our community, we are calling for the individuals charged, as well as their accomplices, to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will follow these proceedings closely.

The Muslims of America, Inc. will conduct a press conference on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 @ 4:00PM ET in the Holiday Inn Binghamton (Southern Tier Room) at 2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York, 13901.”