CAIR: Bin Laden Death Leads to Maine Mosque Vandalism

'Osama today, Islam tomorow (sic)' painted on Muslim house of worship

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on Americans of all faiths to remain unified after the killing of Osama bin Laden apparently led to the bias-motivated vandalism of a mosque in Portland, Me.

CAIR also called on state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

Portland police are investigating the anti-Islam graffiti, which included "Osama today, Islam tomorow (sic)," "Long live the West" and "Free Cyprus," painted on the exterior of the Maine Muslims Community Center sometime between late Sunday night and this morning.

SEE: Graffiti on Portland Mosque Under Investigation
http://tinyurl.com/5s9zgex

Portland Mosque Vandalized in Wake of bin Laden Death
http://tinyurl.com/6kqjj2u

"We ask Americans of all faiths to reject intolerance and to send a message of national unity to the rest of the world," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We urge state law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate this incident as a hate crime."

Earlier today at a news conference in Washington, D.C. CAIR and other national Muslim organizations welcomed the announcement of the elimination of Osama bin Laden as a threat to America and the world. CAIR chapters nationwide issued similar statements.

Video: CAIR Rep Discusses Impact of Osama Bin Laden's Death
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwgsDv4AfJE

CAIR-MI: Detroit Religious Leaders Speak Out on Death of bin Laden
http://tinyurl.com/6y2teeo

Video: CAIR-St. Louis Rep Reacts to Bin Laden Death
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuibqsqqlEU

CAIR-Tampa: Muslim Group CAIR Calls bin Laden's Death 'Day of Justice'
http://tinyurl.com/6grh2qs

CAIR-LA in Anaheim Welcomes "Elimination" of Bin Laden
http://tinyurl.com/5tmrcwr

CAIR-MN Expresses Relief Over bin Laden's Death
http://tinyurl.com/3jwruzp

Video: CAIR-OK Rep Discusses Bin Laden's Death
http://tinyurl.com/3ps57mx

CAIR-OH Says bin Laden's Death Brings Relief and Hope
http://tinyurl.com/66dvoes

CAIR-CT: Muslim Leaders to React to News of Killing of Bin Laden
http://tinyurl.com/62oyg27

Those taking part in this morning's news conference included representatives of CAIR, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation (MAS-Freedom), and the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organization in the Washington, D.C., area.

SEE: DC Muslim Leaders Say bin Laden's Death a Relief
http://tinyurl.com/6h4ugf2

ICNA's Statement on Killing of Osama bin Laden
http://tinyurl.com/6el44y8

CAIR coordinated one of the first joint American Muslim statements condemning the 9/11 terror attacks, issued just hours after they occurred.

To read about CAIR's anti-terror initiatives, go to:
http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.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, 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