CAIR: Missouri Mosque Vandalized with Hate Graffiti

Muslim civil rights group asks that incident be probed as hate crime

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate recent vandalism at a Missouri mosque as a hate crime.

Officials with the Islamic Center of Springfield say hate graffiti was written on outside walls of the mosque sometime late Friday or early Saturday. The graffiti included obscenities, a Star of David and the words, "You bash us in Pakistan we bash you here." The FBI has been informed of the vandalism.

SEE: Vandalism at Islamic Center Costly to Clear

http://tinyurl.com/5sk2fyp

Video: Vandals Desecrate Place of Worship

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=383566

"State and national law enforcement authorities should know that this is not an isolated incident, but is a symptom of the disturbing growth of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper .

SEE: The 'New' Rhetoric of Islamophobia

http://tinyurl.com/6fdljmw

Hooper said recent anti-Muslim incidents nationwide include threats against a Muslim shopper in Idaho, two cases of threats against Muslims in Seattle and the alleged stalking of a Muslim woman in Oregon.

Video: Idaho Man Arrested for Threatening Muslim Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_TnDtrl2fk

Seattle Muslim Targeted in Bias Attack

http://arabnews.com/world/article230033.ece

Video: Hate Crime Charges Filed in Attack on Muslim Women

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nOvU9zEIU  

Hate-crime Suspect Arrested, Placed on Immigration Hold

http://tinyurl.com/62bk7rn

Video: Man with Gun Arrested at Ohio Islamic School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTVJj_jt2Ko

Other recent anti-Muslim incidents include a bias-motivated attack on a Muslim woman outside an Ohio mosque, threats against a Muslim school in Oklahoma and hate mail sent to mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim organizations in Michigan and Ohio. CAIR also asked for the removal of a web site that advocated burning mosques, making false bomb threats implicating Muslims, desecrating Muslim graves, and that recommended the "proper way to shoot a muslim [sic]."

CAIR: Muslim Woman Reports Attack in Car

http://tinyurl.com/2cyt4x7

Tulsan Accused of Hate Crime Should be Committed

http://tinyurl.com/5vchzuf

Video: Metro Detroit Mosques Receive Hate Mail (CAIR) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k32mFWBtWBY

Video: Ohio Mosque Received Anti-Muslim E-Mail (CAIR)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR5RjvBLRoY

WordPress.com Deletes Blog that Advocated Killing Muslims

http://tinyurl.com/2a9j49q

American Muslim individuals and institutions are being urged to review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: 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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper , 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin , 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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