CAIR Welcomes Federal Hate Crime Charges for Ohio Mosque Arson

Fire caused more than $1 million in damage to Islamic house of worship

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed federal hate crime charges filed against an Indiana man who allegedly torched an Ohio mosque, causing more than $1 million in damage.

[MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad is traveling to Ohio to offer support for the local Muslim community and will take part in a multifaith prayer service on Sunday, October 7, in support of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo.
WHAT: CAIR Director to Take Part in Multifaith Prayer Service for Burned Ohio Mosque
WHEN: Sunday, October 7, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
CONTACT: CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected] ]

Hate crimes charges were filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo, Ohio, against Randolph Linn, 52, of St. Joe, Ind., for the September 30 arson attack on of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. Linn was charged with intentionally defacing, damaging and destroying religious real property because of the religious character of that property and with using fire and explosives to commit a felony.

The woman who identified Linn in surveillance photographs said he recently made anti-Muslim remarks, including comments about the worldwide reaction to an anti-Muslim video on the Internet. While being booked, Linn allegedly stated, "[expletive] those Muslims."

FBI: Hate Crimes Charges Filed Against Indiana Man for Religiously Motivated Attack on the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo
http://tinyurl.com/8oxc6kv

"We welcome the federal hate crime charges in this case as a clear demonstration that the Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on mosques or any other American houses of worship," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

Other American Muslim institutions have been targeted during a recent spike in hate incidents. In September, CAIR called on the FBI to investigate hate vandalism at mosques in Virginia and New York. In August, CAIR asked authorities to investigate a suspicious fire at a mosque in Minnesota.

CAIR: Burned Mosque to be Constructed Inside Joplin City Limits
http://tinyurl.com/9hqfl2b
CAIR Report: Thirteen Days in Ramadan 2012
http://www.cair.com/portals/0/pdf/Ramadan2012incidents.pdf
CAIR: Anti-Muslim Attacks Continue
http://www.salon.com/2012/10/05/anti_muslim_attacks_continue/

Also last month, CAIR submitted written testimony for a Senate hearing on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism.

SEE: CAIR's Written Testimony to Senate Hearing
http://tinyurl.com/9om5zmy 

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-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)