CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Vandalism Targeting Rhode Island Islamic School

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting an Islamic school in Rhode Island as a hate crime.

CAIR reported that the Islamic School of Rhode Island in West Warwick, R.I., was vandalized over the weekend with anti-Muslim slurs spray-painted on the school, including "Now this is a hate crime" and "pigs," along with expletives referring to Islam's Prophet Muhammad and to "Allah."

PHOTO: Islamic School of Rhode Island Vandalized              
http://tinyurl.com/mtb9zuv

"This apparently bias-motivated incident should be investigated as a hate crime, with the strongest possible charges brought against the perpetrators once they are apprehended," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "The recent spike in anti-Muslim hate rhetoric and bias-motivated attacks on American Muslims and their institutions must be addressed by our nation's leaders."

Hooper noted that American Muslims believe the recent killing of three young Muslims in North Carolina was a hate crime. He said a possible bias motive is also being investigated for an act of arson targeting a Houston Islamic institute.

Video: CAIR Asked Feds to Probe Chapel Hill Killing           
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtTd8kGg6TI

Video: CAIR Calls for Stepped Up Security Measures Following Arson at Houston Islamic Institute                
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NNUx1ST_XQ

As Houston Islamic Center Burns, Firefighter Posts, "Let it burn...block the fire hydrant."   
http://tinyurl.com/q9zafcs 

Other recent incidents targeting American Muslims include a hate attack on a family in Michigan, threats against a Chicago mosque and an arrest for threats against staffers at CAIR's San Diego office.

Dearborn Police Probe Alleged Assault on Muslim Man at Kroger (Free Press)         
http://tinyurl.com/lemepwm   

Video: CAIR-Chicago Issues Community Alert After Threats to Mosque      
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a4jSqGeoWQ  

Video: Man Charged with Threatening to Kill CAIR-San Diego Staffers       
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZenETAUftaQ

Hooper said CAIR is urging community leaders to implement safety measures outlined in its booklet, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," which was published in response to previous attacks on American Muslim institutions.

A free copy of CAIR's "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," may be requested by going to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

CAIR is also concerned about anti-Muslim statements by elected officials, about an effort to pass anti-Islam bills in state legislatures nationwide and about efforts by anti-Muslim bigots to block American Muslim civic participation.

Video: CAIR Says California Assemblywoman's Anti-Islam Tweet Promotes Hate        
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVAsWcmYKEg  

CAIR: Anti-Islam Legislation Proposed in Mississippi (Video)               
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVluRXvPxA

Video: Announcement of Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol Draws Hate Backlash (CAIR)               
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QSwr0KxHnI

Video: Islamophobes Seek to Block Texas Muslim Civic Participation (CAIR)           
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGgsDX30EIs

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.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)