CAIR-MI Asks FBI to Probe Threat Against Muslim Driver

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on the FBI to investigate an alleged bias-motivated threat against a Muslim woman driver this morning in Ann Arbor.

The 21-year-old Muslim woman, who is of Palestinian heritage and wears an Islamic head scarf (hijab), reported to CAIR-MI that a white male driving a truck pulled up to her vehicle while she was stopped at a red light and began honking his horn. According to the Muslim driver, the alleged assailant then shouted racial slurs such as "You don't belong here," "Your people need to be killed," and "You're a terrorist." She also reported that the alleged assailant swerved his vehicle toward hers and pointed a handgun at her.

After the assailant reportedly saw the victim using her cell phone to call 911, he sped off. The victim provided the Ann Arbor Police Department with the alleged assailant's license plate number. (It is not clear in which state the vehicle is registered.)

A CAIR-MI representative has spoken with the FBI to request a federal investigation.

"Because of the reported racial slurs and physical threat, we urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a hate crime," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.  "The FBI's involvement would send the message that our nation will not tolerate the targeting of religious minorities."

CAIR's Iowa chapter recently called on the FBI to investigate vandalism at a mosque in that state as a possible hate crime. The Muslim civil rights group also called on the FBI to probe a Tennessee road rage incident in which a Muslim mother and son were allegedly targeted with death threats and anti-Muslim slurs by a knife-wielding driver.

SEE: Tenn. Police ID Road Rage Suspect Accused of Harassing Muslim Woman

http://tinyurl.com/3ldz7e9

CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Iowa Mosque Vandalism

http://tinyurl.com/3wgt3hh

Islamic institutions and members of the American Muslim community are being asked to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit

http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)