CAIR Asks President Obama to Condemn Islamophobia During Address to Nation on Terror

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is calling on President Obama to include a condemnation of rising Islamophobia during tonight's prime-time address to the nation to outline his plans to combat terrorism and defeat ISIS.

SEE: In Address to Nation, Obama to Outline Plan to Fight Terrorism and Islamic State
http://tinyurl.com/zan6zpy  

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"As he prepares for his address to the nation this evening, we ask President Obama to include a clear condemnation of the rising anti-Muslim attacks and hysteria we have witnessed in recent weeks, and to state that violence against American Muslims and their institutions will not be tolerated.

"Hate-filled rhetoric and anti-Muslim attacks are putting the lives of American Muslims and their families in real danger. We are particularly concerned by an emerging pattern of government officials and employees, as well as other public figures, seeming to endorse or encourage violence against Muslims.

"ISIS knows it cannot defeat our nation militarily, so the terror group's only hope is to divide Americans along religious and ethnic lines. This address provides the opportunity to clearly demonstrate national unity, not division."

Awad cited the Muslim community's unanimous repudiation of terrorism and noted that there has been an unprecedented spike in incidents targeting the nation's Muslim community since the November 13 terror attacks in Paris.

Video: CAIR-LA, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California Respond to San Bernardino Shootings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZgUWOpLg20

He said that CAIR has received more reports about acts of Islamophobic violence, threats, intimidation and  discrimination targeting American Muslims (or those perceived to be Muslim) and Islamic institutions since the Paris attacks than during any other limited period of time since the 9/11 terror attacks.

SEE: CAIR Reports Unprecedented Backlash Against American Muslims After Paris Attacks
http://tinyurl.com/oucxydl

CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Post-San Bernardino Threat to Virginia Mosque
http://tinyurl.com/h4m2tn4

CAIR Calls for Protection of Kentucky Mosque Targeted by Terror Threat
http://tinyurl.com/hkl23x6

CAIR-LA Asks FBI to Probe Bullet-Riddled Copy of the Quran Left at Islamic Store as Hate Crime
http://tinyurl.com/ofwwkse

Facebook of Florida Mosque Vandal Shows a Man Who Loves Jesus and Guns — But Hates Muslims
http://tinyurl.com/gm6xu7k

CAIR: Plan for Virginia Mosque Becomes Target of Anti-Muslim Backlash
http://tinyurl.com/gsylut8  

Awad said that backlash has been exacerbated by inaccurate and inflammatory Islamophobic statements by public figures like Donald Trump, Ben Carson and others.

SEE: Video: CAIR, NJ Muslims, Interfaith Leaders, Officials Condemn Donald Trump's False 9/11 Claim
http://tinyurl.com/zpng928

President of Liberty University Urges Students to Get Gun Permits, 'End Those Muslims' (NY Times)
http://tinyurl.com/qdvvbrq

Muslim Fever Goes Viral: After Paris and San Bernardino, Islam-Bashing is Back and Bigger Than Ever
http://tinyurl.com/ju942do  

GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum: Islam Not Fully Protected by Constitution
http://tinyurl.com/hyl5p9n

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

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