DETROIT – A group of teenagers said they were ticketed by Detroit police outside their mosque for no reason.
Nasr Alsoufi, 16, and 10 other boys said they were detained and issued tickets on accusations they broke curfew when police found them outside the Al-Huda Islamic Association building on the city's west side just before 11:30 p.m. Monday.
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In Detroit, the curfew for those 15 and under is 10 p.m. The curfew for those 16 and 17 years old is is 11 p.m.
Alsoufi and some of the other boy said the parents gave them permission to step outside while prayers continued.
"It was too hot inside the mosque so I just came outside for fresh air," said 12-year-old Wael Saleh.
Alsoufi said most of the boys were still on the mosque's property when police approached them, while some were horsing around in the street, but that all of their parents were inside.
Alsoufi said police wouldn't listen to them explain the situation and that officers made the parents come out of the mosque.
"It's an embarrassment because, just to see us in the car. We're supposed to be inside praying but they just took up one by one and wouldn't let us get out when they know our parents are praying," Alsoufi said.
A representative for the Detroit Police Department said the boys' cases would be reviewed.
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