CAIR: Illinois Muslim School Hit with Acid Bomb

Muslim civil rights group calls for FBI hate crime probe

CHICAGO, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today called for an FBI hate crime investigation of an acid bomb attack on a Muslim school in that state.

CAIR-Chicago said someone threw a bottle filled with acid and other unspecified materials at the College Preparatory School of America during the nighttime Ramadan prayers on Sunday night. Worshipers said they heard a loud bang and discovered that the acid bomb had been thrown at the window of the school. No one was injured.

SEE: Islamic School Hit With Acid-Filled Bottle In Lombard
http://tinyurl.com/9uj6of2

This is the second such incident targeting an Illinois Muslim institution this past weekend. On Saturday, CAIR's Chicago office reported that air rifle shots were fired at the outer wall of the Muslim Education Center (MEC) mosque in Morton Grove, Ill.

CAIR: Man Arrested for Shooting at Chicago-Area Mosque as Hundreds Worship Inside
http://tinyurl.com/9r2mh8k

Video: Man Arrested for Shooting at Illinois Mosque (CAIR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2sPbMn30aY

"These and other incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry are occurring in an atmosphere of hate resulting from inflammatory statements by elected officials nationwide," said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.

On Friday, Chicago Muslims spoke out against fear-mongering comments made by Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh in which he said that Islamic radicals were living in Chicago's suburbs.

A diverse group of Muslims, Jews and Christians held a press conference in downtown Chicago to warn against the effects of such irresponsible remarks, especially coming as they did following incidents such as the deadly shooting spree at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.

Video: Rep. Walsh Under Fire for Comments About Muslims (CAIR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGDzlWrc_bc  

Video: Chicago Muslims Outraged by Rep. Walsh's Comments (CAIR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxlIpydOpQY

This morning, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a paintball attack on an Oklahoma mosque as a hate crime.

CAIR-OK said vandals fired numerous paintballs at the doors of the Grand Mosque of Oklahoma City early Sunday and then fled the scene. The attack, which the mosque's director first thought was a volley of bullets, was captured on surveillance video. Local police are investigating the incident.

Video: Vandals Shoot Paintballs at OKC Mosque
http://tinyurl.com/9yddhpr

Vandals Fire Paintballs at Oklahoma City Mosque; Group Calls For Hate-Crime Investigation (AP)
http://tinyurl.com/8zg3su2

Last week, CAIR's national headquarters issued a community safety advisory for American mosques following other incidents targeting Muslim houses of worship in Missouri and Rhode Island and after the deadly shooting attack on the Sikh temple.

SEE: CAIR Issues Safety Advisory After Another Mosque Targeted
http://tinyurl.com/bq6f3tn

In one incident, a Missouri mosque previously targeted by an arsonist burned to the ground. In California, pig legs were left at a Southern California mosque and four teens face hate crime charges for harassing worshipers at a northern California mosque.

CAIR: Islamic Group Asks for Investigation of Pig Legs at Mosque Site
http://tinyurl.com/9xzpnq4  

CAIR: Arson, Vandalism at Mosques Not Uncommon (Joplin Globe)
http://tinyurl.com/c4qw4w3

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-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, E-Mail: [email protected]; 202-870-0166; CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations