CAIR-WA: Seattle Muslims' Car Targeted by Hate Vandalism

Muslim civil rights group to call for bias crime investigation

SEATTLE, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, September 7, the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) will hold a news conference in Seattle to call for a bias crime investigation of hate graffiti, including the slurs "sand n**gers," "doon [sic] coons," scrawled on a rental vehicle used by a group of Seattle-area Muslims on a recent vacation trip to Chelan, Wash. The vehicle was also physically vandalized with numerous scratches.

PHOTO: Hate Vandalism of Muslims' Car - 'Sand Ni**gers'
http://tinyurl.com/ct3xhvt

PHOTO: Hate Vandalism of Muslims' Car - 'Doon Coons'
http://tinyurl.com/bom87f2

[NOTE: "Sand n**ger" is a slur used to target those perceived to be Muslim or Arab-American. "Doon coon" is an apparent reference to the stereotypical belief that all Muslims originate in deserts, therefore the misspelled reference to "dunes."]

The Muslims believe the hate incident may have been triggered by a group prayer offered in a public area and the Islamic head covering (kufi) worn by one of the vacationers.  

WHAT: CAIR-WA News Conference to Call for Hate Crime Probe of Alleged Bias Incident

WHEN: Friday, September 7, 10 a.m. (Pacific)

WHERE: CAIR-WA Seattle Office, 316 Maynard Avenue South, Suite 112A, Seattle, WA

CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206-367-4081, 206-931-3655, E-Mail: [email protected]  

At the news conference, CAIR-WA will also reveal details of an incident in which a Seattle-area Muslim woman alleges that she was assaulted because of her Islamic head scarf.

Last week, CAIR's Minnesota chapter called for an investigation of a suspicious fire outside a mosque in South Minneapolis. Muslim graves in Illinois were also desecrated with hate graffiti for the second time in one month.

CAIR: Muslim Grave Site Vandalized Again (Chicago Trib)
http://tinyurl.com/cl3o2m5

CAIR has seen an increase in hate incidents targeting American Muslims in the aftermath of the deadly attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.

Recent incidents included shots fired at a mosque in Morton Grove, Ill., an acid bomb thrown at an Islamic school in Lombard, Ill., a mosque burned to the ground in Joplin, Mo., vandals spraying an Oklahoma mosque with paintballs, pig legs thrown at a mosque site in California, and a firebomb thrown at a Muslim family's home in Panama City, Fla.

CAIR: Anti-Islamic Sentiment in America Troubles Muslims (CNN)
http://tinyurl.com/9vo5fw5

String of Attacks Threaten U.S. Muslims During Ramadan
http://tinyurl.com/8shzgvj

CAIR: Mosque Attacks Common Nationwide
http://tinyurl.com/84l49vh

Muslim individuals and institutions are being asked to review advice on security procedures in CAIR's "Community Security and Safety Tips."

SEE: CAIR Community Safety and Security Tips
http://tinyurl.com/c8qpqx8

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-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206-367-4081, 206-931-3655, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations