CAIR to Seek DOJ Action for Attack on Va. Muslim Taxi Driver

Prosecutor drops charges against alleged attacker, smears victim

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said it will ask the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue charges against a Virginia man for an alleged bias-motivated assault earlier this year on a Muslim taxi driver.

CAIR is making that request following a decision by a Virginia prosecutor to drop charges against Ed Dahlberg, the passenger who allegedly assaulted Army reservist and Iraq veteran Mohamed A. Salim.

SEE: Charges Dropped in Alleged Muslim Cabbie Assault (AP)
http://bit.ly/I1dCpj
Video: Taxi Driver Claims He Was Attacked Because He is Muslim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcOJXFaVHdI

"It is outrageous that the prosecutor, instead of charging the perpetrator of a bias-motivated assault, chose to ignore clear evidence of a hate motive and to smear the victim," said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who is also Salim's attorney. "We ask the Department of Justice to take immediate action to demonstrate that hate attacks on American Muslims will not be tolerated or ignored."

Abbas said the prosecutor's actions could discourage future hate crime victims from coming forward.

In a cell-phone video taken by Salim, Dahlberg is heard asking the victim if he is Muslim and claiming that most Muslims are terrorists.

According to a Washington Post report on the incident:

"He says the Koran directs Muslims to kill nonbelievers and then repeatedly and loudly demands that Salim denounce the Sept. 11, 2001, attackers. When Salim asks if the passenger is threatening him, the passenger uses an obscene phrase to respond in the affirmative.

"If you're a Muslim, you're a [expletive] jihadist," the passenger says. "You are just as bad as the rest of them."

The video ends with a blur of motion and audio of Salim asking, "Why are you punching me? Sir, why are you punching me?"

The passenger replies: "You're a [expletive] Muslim."

CAIR: Muslim Cabdriver Alleges Assault by Passenger Who Cited Boston Marathon Bombing (Washington Post)
http://wapo.st/17wxtow
Video: Exclusive Cellphone Video of Alleged Cab Assault
http://wapo.st/17wyGfw

Medical records show that Salim was treated for a fractured jaw and a head injury.

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 Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 202-742-6410, 720-251-0425, E-mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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