CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Threats Sent to N.C. Mosques

Hate mail author uses racial slurs, has 'no problem killing Muslims'

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on state law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate threatening letters sent to a number of North Carolina mosques as possible hate crimes.

CAIR said the Islamic Center of Charlotte, N.C., and other mosques in that state received hate letters filled with racial slurs and stating the author has "no problem killing Muslims." At least one of the letters was mailed from Apex, N.C. The FBI has been notified of the letters.

Video: North Carolina Mosques Receive Threatening Letters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRBFqwOsOvs
Threat Letter to Islamic Center: We Have No Problem Killing Muslims
http://tinyurl.com/7x6x535
Letter Writer to Islamic Center: 'No Problem Killing Muslims'
http://tinyurl.com/837afmp

"Threats to our nation's mosques deserve the same law enforcement attention as threats to any other houses of worship," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "State and national law enforcement authorities should not wait until threats turn into actual violence."

He noted that CAIR's Iowa chapter recently called on the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate a letter with "very threatening" language and containing a mysterious powder that was sent to a Muslim representative in the Iowa House.

Video: Mysterious Powder Unnerves Statehouse
http://tinyurl.com/6lr9xah

Hooper said CAIR is asking members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.

SEE: Protesters Walk Out of Anti-Islam Event at Temple University
http://tinyurl.com/7m93mrw

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
http://tinyurl.com/66enzm8
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
http://tinyurl.com/7cozjxg
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
http://tinyurl.com/3qsv2v8
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism
http://tinyurl.com/6j9fttw  

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, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)