CAIR-LA Calls for FBI Probe of Shots Fired at California Mosque
ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for an FBI investigation of a shooting attack on a mosque in that state.
Several shots were fired at the Islamic Society of the Coachella Valley, in Coachella, Calif., at about 5 a.m. today. The shooting is being investigated as a possible hate crime. According to local law enforcement authorities, the mosque was occupied at the time of the attack, but no one was injured.
SEE: Shooting at Occupied Building-Mosque/Possible Hate Crime
http://www.riversidesheriff.org/press/the14-1104.asp
"Any time shots are fired at a house of worship, the FBI should offer its resources to local authorities to help determine whether or not there was a bias motive for the attack," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. "Our nation's leaders also need to speak out against the growing level of anti-Muslim sentiment that can lead to such incidents."
Ayloush thanked local police for their prompt and professional response to the incident.
Last month, CAIR called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a firebomb attack on an Albuquerque, N.M., mosque as a hate crime.
SEE: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Molotov Cocktail Attack on Albuquerque Mosque
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12705-molotov-cocktail-attack-on-albuquerque-mosque.html
CAIR's San Diego chapter also asked the FBI to investigate a threatening letter with an unknown substance sent to a local Mosque.
Video: San Diego Muslim Leaders Host Safety Expo in Wake of Threat (CAIR) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_37krkaMX1o
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 mosques.
The booklet is designed to be used by mosque officials, Muslim school administrators and other community leaders and activists who seek to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities to bias-motivated attacks.
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
Some of the guidelines in CAIR's safety kit were outlined in a community alert sent out in September.
SEE: CAIR Asks Muslims to Take Added Safety Precautions for Eid Holiday
http://www.cair.com/action-alerts/12671-cair-asks-muslims-to-take-safety-precautions-for-eid.html
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization is also asking American Muslims to contact a local CAIR chapter to report any bias incidents.
Contact a CAIR Chapter:
http://www.cair.com/contact-us/contact-chapters.html
Report a Bias Incident:
http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident.html
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-LA Communications Coordinator Ojaala Ahmad, 714.778.1847 or [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, Email: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
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