CAIR Decries Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Rhetoric on Boston Bombings

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today decried the wave of inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric following the Boston Marathon bombings and the revelation that the suspects in the case are Muslim.

CAIR also noted that Americans of all faiths have rejected the call by a minority of extremists to stereotype Muslims and Islam.

While at least two anti-Muslim hate attacks were linked to the bombings, CAIR says it has not received any reports of violent bias-motivated incidents since the suspects were identified.

CAIR: Hate Crimes in MA, NY Follow Boston Bombings
http://tinyurl.com/czpeetv

"We believe it is a positive sign that the vast majority of Americans have rejected the type of guilt by association advocated by extremist commentators seeking to exploit the tragic events in Boston to further their personal agendas," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "As a nation, we have learned to judge a person based on their actions, not on their faith or ethnicity."

CAIR-PA: Muslims Caution Against Stereotyping After Bombings
http://tinyurl.com/csvsokw

Awad said the recent spike in hate rhetoric comes in the wake of a coordinated long-term effort by Islamophobic activists and groups to demonize Islam and marginalize American Muslims.

CAIR-OK: Oklahoma Muslims Voice Concern About Anti-Islamic Rhetoric, Counter-Terrorism Caucus
http://tinyurl.com/cmuv3ol

CAIR-FL: Bills Banning Sharia Law Get Mixed Reaction in Florida
http://tinyurl.com/d9rz38y 

Anti-Muslim Film to Be Shown in South Carolina
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Just after last week's bombings, CAIR issued a call for prayers and blood donations for the victims, and CAIR chapters nationwide have organized community events to condemn the attacks and show support for the victims.

CAIR-MI: Muslims Condemn Boston Marathon Bombings (Detroit News)
http://tinyurl.com/c55pblx

CAIR also called on Fox News to sever ties with a regular guest who tweeted "Let's kill them [Muslims] all" in response to the blasts.

SEE: Fox Regular Erik Rush Says 'Kill' Muslims after Boston Marathon Explosions (UPI)
http://tinyurl.com/bm63ylf

Thousands of emails were sent to Fox News executives through a CAIR action alert.
CONTACT FOX: (As always, be POLITE and respectful.)
http://tinyurl.com/CONTACTFoxNews

Since the bombings and Friday's arrest of a suspect, Fox News turned to commentators like Frank Gaffney, who claim Muslim cooperation with the FBI weakens national security, and ACT! for America leader Hanah Kahwagi Tudor (a.k.a "Brigitte Gabrie"), who claims an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen" and that Islam is the "real enemy."

SEE: In the Wake of Boston Marathon Attack, Fox Turned To Anti-Islam Commentators
http://tinyurl.com/bqopgqf

Other right-wing commentators have exploited the Boston bombings to promote their own pre-existing political and religious agendas.

Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who is notorious for sponsoring a series of Islamophobic congressional hearings, called for increased law enforcement surveillance of law-abiding American Muslims.

Keith Ellison: Peter King Comments 'Ridiculous'
http://tinyurl.com/cntuhu2

Former congressman Joe Walsh of Illinois called for the profiling of all "young Muslim men."

Fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh: We Need To Profile "Our Enemy," Young Muslim Men
http://tinyurl.com/c32f6jm

A New York state legislator called for the torture of the suspect who was apprehended.

SEE: NY State Lawmaker Wants Boston Bombing Suspect Tortured
http://tinyurl.com/cv7rgpp

Right-wing columnist Ann Coulter said she would like to see the alleged bomber's widow in jail for "wearing a hijab (Islamic head scarf)."

Ann Coulter: Boston Suspect's Widow 'Ought to Be in Prison for Wearing a Hijab'
http://tinyurl.com/crt693p

Fox News host Bob Beckel recommended barring all Muslim students from coming to the United States.

Fox News Host: Let's Bar Muslim Students from Coming Here
http://tinyurl.com/c8b2fbk

Televangelist Pat Robertson even compared Islam to Nazism.

SEE: Controversial Televangelist Compares Islam to Nazism
http://tinyurl.com/cm62uqd

Comedian Adam Carolla told Fox News that Muslims 'hate our culture' and a radio host called for banning anyone who believes in the Quran, Islam's revealed text, from the United States. 

Video: Adam Carolla on Why US is Target of Muslim Terrorism: 'They Hate Our Culture'
http://tinyurl.com/c36dtqm  

Ban Anyone Who Believes in the Quran
http://tinyurl.com/ctfw5b7

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]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations