CAIR: WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/19/11 --

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), on January 13, 2010, called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate recent vandalism at a Missouri mosque as a hate crime.

Officials with the Islamic Center of Springfield say hate graffiti was written on outside walls of the mosque sometime late Friday or early Saturday. The graffiti included obscenities, a Star of David and the words, "You bash us in Pakistan we bash you here." The FBI has been informed of the vandalism.

"State and national law enforcement authorities should know that this is not an isolated incident, but is a symptom of the disturbing growth of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper said recent anti-Muslim incidents nationwide include threats against a Muslim shopper in Idaho, two cases of threats against Muslims in Seattle and the alleged stalking of a Muslim woman in Oregon.

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Other recent anti-Muslim incidents include a bias-motivated attack on a Muslim woman outside an Ohio mosque, threats against a Muslim school in Oklahoma and hate mail sent to mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim organizations in Michigan and Ohio. CAIR also asked for the removal of a website that advocated burning mosques, making false bomb threats implicating Muslims, desecrating Muslim graves, and that recommended the "proper way to shoot a muslim [sic]."

American Muslim individuals and institutions are being urged to review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com