CAIR-NY Asks NYPD to Probe Bias Motive for Attack on Muslim Outside Queens Mosque

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/5/16) � The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to investigate a possible bias motive for an alleged attack on a Muslim man outside a Queens mosque.

CAIR-NY is also asking the NYPD to preserve any surveillance video covering the site of the alleged attack.

Mohamed Rasheed Khan, 59, was reportedly attacked by three young men Wednesday night as he was leaving the Center for Islamic Studies on Jamaica Avenue. Khan, who is an American citizen of Guyanese heritage, was wearing traditional Islamic attire at the time of the attack.

The alleged assailants did not steal the victim's wallet, watch or bicycle, and were reportedly seen laughing as they left the scene of the attack.

Khan suffered multiple broken bones in his face, fractured ribs and a concussion. He remains unable to speak or open his eyes, and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow at Jamaica Hospital Center.

"Because of the location of the attack outside a mosque, the Islamic attire of the victim, and because nothing was stolen by the alleged attackers, we urge law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for this troubling incident," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, who visited Khan and his family today. "We urge the NYPD to step up patrols in the area of the mosque, particularly during activities associated with the upcoming fast of Ramadan."

Nasher noted that incidents targeting American Muslims and their religious institutions have spiked in recent months, prompted at least in part by anti-Muslim rhetoric employed by public figures like Donald Trump.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Stepped-Up Police Protection for Colorado Mosque Targeted by Apparent Threat

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.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may call CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or email civilrights@cair.com.

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CONTACT:

CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 646-665-7599, anasher@cair.com;

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com  

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• Audio: CAIR-MI Director Interviewed on NPR About Muslim Americans at Ramadan, 2016
  
  Ahead of Ramadan, we take the pulse ofMuslim-Americans on the Presidential election, refugees and radicalism.
  
  Guests
  
  * Dalia Mogahed, director of research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. Former executive director of the Gallap Center for Muslim Studies. Co-author, with John Esposito, of "Who Speaks for Islam?" (@DMogahed)
  * Dean Obeidallah, comedian, director and former lawyer. Co-director of the documentary, "The Muslims Are Coming." Columnist for the Daily Beast. (@Deanofcomedy)
  * Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Political blogger for the Detroit News. (@DawudWalid)
• Tonight in Maryland: CAIR Presentation on Islamophobia and the 2016 Election
  • CAIR: New Jersey Muslims Say Trump's Rhetoric Has Spurred New Activism (Medill News Service)
    
    Jim Sues, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said one result has been an increase in voter registration among Muslims.
  • SEE: CAIR Launches 2016 'Muslims Vote' Campaign with Questionnaire Toolkit, Religious Pluralism Pledge
  • Paul Ryan Supports Campaign to Stop Islamophobia While Backing Trump's Hate-Fueled Bid for President
• CAIR: The Pill That Cures Islamophobia (BBC News)
  
  It pokes fun at stereotypes and promotes a make believe pill called "Islamophobin." CAIR responded to criticism by saying "Islamophobin is funny, Islamophobia is not."
  • CAIR: Satirical ISLAMOPHOBIN Medicine 'Cures' Islamophobia (NBC)
• CAIR: Islamophobic Ex-FBI agent John Guandolo Who Accused Obama of Treason Loses Lucrative Gig Training Law Enforcement Officers
  
  When it was announced that Guandolo would be speaking at Cedar Valley College, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) objected on the basis that Guandolo sowed hatred between American Muslims and their neighbors.
  
  "We would be happy to help provide alternate training relying on accurate and balanced information, and upholding American values of justice and equality," the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter's executive director said.
  • Judge: Tennessee Man Accused of Plot to Blow Up Muslim Community is Competent to Stand Trial
• CAIR: El llamado de la vocación y la fe (CNN)
  
  Sana Hamze fue aceptada en The Citadel, universidad militar privada. Pidió permiso para usar el velo con el uniforme pero la Universidad negó el permiso.

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• Watch/Listen: CAIR Ramadan 'Know Your Rights as an Employee' Webinar
  
  The webinar is designed to help individuals better understand their legal rights in the workplace and addresses common questions for American Muslims as they attempt to balance their obligations at work while also making the most of the blessed month of Ramadan.
• CAIR-Dallas Welcomes College's Cancellation of Event Featuring Islamophobe John Guandolo
  
  The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-DFW) today welcomed a decision by Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, Texas, to cancel a June 3 "training" event for law enforcement officers being offered by notorious Islamophobe and anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist John Guandolo.
• CAIR Endorses Interfaith Banner Project to Counter Anti-Muslim Bigotry
  
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today endorsed a national interfaith banner project spearheaded by the Interfaith Action for Human Rights to counter anti-Muslim bigotry in America.
  • CAIR: Tenn. Police Working with FBI on Muslim-Targeted Road Rage Incident
  • Hate Group in Texas Threatens to Kill Muslims -- And Nobody Asks Where the Group Was Radicalized
  • Fort Riley Prayer Breakfast Called Off; Anti-Muslim Retired General Jerry Boykin Had Been Set to Speak
• CAIR-CA Releases 2016 Primary Election Voter Guide
• CAIR-NJ Urges New Jersey Lawmakers to Oppose Anti-Free Speech Bills
  
  The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called on New Jersey lawmakers to oppose a set of bills in the state legislature that would violate the constitutionally-guaranteed free speech rights of companies and institutions, including institutes of higher learning, that participate in the international boycott of Israel's illegal occupation of the West Bank.
  • CAIR-CA Alert: Ask Assembly Members to Oppose Anti-BDS Legislation

CAIR Launches 2016 'Muslims Vote' Campaign with Questionnaire Toolkit, Religious Pluralism Pledge

(WASHINGTON, 6/2/2016) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released its "2016 General Election Questionnaire Toolkit for the American Muslim Community" and a "Candidate for Public Office Religious Pluralism Pledge" as part of its 2016 "Muslims Vote" campaign designed to empower American Muslims by increasing their political capacity and presence in the general election.

SEE: 2016 General Election Questionnaire Toolkit for the American Muslim Community
Candidate for Public Office Religious Pluralism Pledge

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization's annual non-partisan voter campaign will focus on ensuring that American Muslims actively participate in the 2016 election cycle by volunteering in election campaigns, registering to vote, hosting candidate forums, and by mobilizing other community members through "get out the vote" initiatives.

CAIR seeks to empower the American Muslim community with its questionnaires toolkit by providing sample questions for local city council, mayoral, state legislative, gubernatorial, and congressional candidates running for office.

Candidate responses to CAIR's election questionnaires will assist American Muslims in evaluating each candidate's leadership criteria and their ability to unite and engage the community on policies and programs that meet Muslim needs. The questions and the issues included in the questionnaires emphasize the American Muslim community's concerns, as well as those of its civil rights, immigrant rights and worker rights allies.

CAIR's Religious Pluralism Pledge calls on candidates running for elected office to affirm that they "will respect the tradition of American religious pluralism and uphold the ideals presented by the U.S. Constitution" and pledge that they will "not use my position as a candidate for public office to disparage or marginalize minority faiths, nor will I support such actions by my colleagues or my constituents."

"With large concentrations of Muslim voters in key swing states such as Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, the American Muslim community has the potential to tip close elections and to help determine who will be the next president of the United States," said CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert McCaw.

"CAIR will continue to pay special attention to Muslim voters under the age of 30 -- and recently naturalized citizens � who are typically under-represented on voter rolls," added McCaw.

Components of CAIR's 2016 "Muslims Vote" election campaign include:

* CAIR's 2016 General Election Questionnaire Toolkit for the American Muslim Community
* CAIR's Religious Pluralism Pledge
* CAIR's updated "Islamophobia in the 2016 Presidential Election" webpage, providing readers with insights into various potential or current presidential candidate's views on Islam and connections with the U.S. Islamophobia network.
* CAIR's Rock the Vote-sponsored online voter registration tool for voters to register from the convenience of their home, work, school or mosque (or other house of worship).
* Participating in the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations' Million Voters Registration Drive, National Ramadan Iftar Day (June 18), National Voter Registration Day (September 27), and National Open Mosque Day (October 16) by organizing voter registration booths at mosques and Islamic centers across the country.
* Distributing news items on CAIR's Twitter account @CAIRNational using the hashtag #MuslimsVote focusing on niche news relating to Muslims and the election.
* Reaching out to the leadership and candidates of the nation's top four political parties in partnership with the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations.
* Coming Soon: In the next few weeks CAIR, working with its national network of chapters, also plans to release congressional scorecards and presidential voter guides to ensure that American Muslims are knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions.

• CAIR-Dallas Asks College to Cancel Law Enforcement 'Training' by Islamophobe John Guandolo
  
  The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-DFW) today asked officials of Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, Texas, to cancel a June 3 "training" event for law enforcement officers being offered by notorious Islamophobe and anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist John Guandolo. An announcement about the event claims law enforcement attendees "will be eligible for continuing education credit."
• CAIR-NJ Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Shooting Death of Sikh Gas Station Owner
  
  The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the shooting death of Davinder Singh, 47, who was shot at the Power Gas Station on West Market Street in Newark, N.J., sometime before 4:25 p.m. Monday.
• CAIR Updates 'Islamophobia in the 2016 Presidential Election' Page
  • CAIR: Unsettling Political Climate Galvanizes Muslims to Vote (NY Times)
    
    As the general election approaches, Muslim organizations will pay particular attention to swing states, where "several thousand voters have the ability to tip the elections," said Robert S. McCaw, the director of the government affairs department at the Council on American-Islamic Relations. . .
    
    "The average Muslim is a little desensitized to politicians making negative comments about us," said Corey Saylor, the director of the department to monitor and combat Islamophobia at the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
    
    "This time it's so pervasive and mainstream and, frankly, threatening that a lot of people feel the need to do whatever they can."
• CAIR: Philadelphia Leads Movement to Add Muslim Holidays to School Calendar
  
  Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, called Tuesday's announcement significant not just because so few other districts have adopted the holidays, but because of its timing.
  
  "These are like rays of light in the darkness," he said, noting a rise in anti-Muslim sentiments fueled in part by the comments of presidential candidate Donald Trump.
  • CAIR: After Citadel Denies Request to Wear Hijab, Muslim Student Will Attend Another Military College
    
    Hamze's family, represented by an attorney at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, is still considering legal action against the military college.
• Video: CAIR Seeks Stepped-Up Police Patrols at Colorado Mosque Targeted by 'Mass Murder' Threat
  • CAIR: Police Investigating Series of Threatening Emails Sent to Islamic Center Member (Denver Post)
  • CAIR: Golden Police Investigate Threatening Emails Sent to Mosque

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• CAIR to Offer Ramadan 'Know Your Rights as an Employee' Webinars
  
  On Wednesday, June 1, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will offer two 'Know Your Rights as an Employee' informational webinars. The webinars will be held at 12 p.m. EDT and 7 p.m. EDT.
  
  The webinars will help individuals better understand their legal rights in the workplace. They will address common questions for American Muslims as they attempt to balance their obligations at work while also making the most of the blessed month of Ramadan.
• CAIR-Georgia Joins Interfaith ICE Rally Calling for Immigration Reform
  
  The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) recently joined other religious leaders and immigration reform advocates at an interfaith rally outside the Atlanta headquarters of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
  
  Rally participants called for an overhaul of the nation's immigration system, particularly its treatment of immigrants fleeing violence in Central America.
• CAIR: Philadelphia Schools Add Two Muslim Holidays (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  
  Philadelphia, which has an estimated 200,000 Muslims, would not be the first city school district to add the holidays to the official calendar. A handful of smaller districts have already added them to the academic calendar, and New York City last year became the first major city to do so.
  
  But the move is nonetheless significant, said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington. "Unfortunately we're seeing a spike in anti-Muslim sentiments nationwide, fueled at least in part by the hate filled rhetoric coming from public figures like Donald Trump and Ben Carson and others," he said. "And this helps change that trend. And that's why it's very welcome."
• Video: Muslim Student Seeking Right to Wear Hijab at The Citadel Speaks to CNN
  • CAIR: 'I Knew It Would Be an Uproar,' Says Student Caught in The Citadel Hijab Dispute (Washington Post)
    
    Her father, Nezar Hamze, said they are still considering legal options against The Citadel, working with a lawyer at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which advocates on behalf of Muslims.
• CAIR: Islamophobia Spurring US Muslims in Political Process
• CAIR-LA: Muslims Give Thanks to Andrew's Ice Cream's Stand Against Islamophobia

CAIR Seeks Stepped-Up Police Protection for Colorado Mosque Targeted by Apparent Threat

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/31/16) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for stepped-up protection by local police for a Colorado mosque targeted by an apparent emailed threat from a person who allegedly wrote that he was considering "becoming a mass murderer."

Officials of the Islamic Center of Golden (ICG) in Golden, Colo., reported to CAIR that a member of the mosque recently received an email from a person he had invited to the facility to learn more about Islam. That email stated in part:

". . .I was tempted to be violent and confrontational at the Islamic center. . .I would wager I was the only armed man at the center. Why is mass violence so tempting? In my pockets I carry two extra magazines~ even so I would run out of bullets before you ran out of Muslims. This is why I carry two knives and a collapsible baton as well. . .It bothered me that I would consider becoming a mass murderer. Who could look themselves in the mirror?. . .there is power in the blood of Jesus!"

Mosque officials say the individual who sent the email has been questioned by police and has been told not to contact worshipers or come near the facility. Members of the mosque have been informed of the apparent threat and images of the alleged emailer and his vehicle have been circulated to the congregation.

"Because of the language and tone used in the email, we urge local police to step up security measures in the area of the mosque, particularly during activities associated with the upcoming Ramadan fast," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper noted that CAIR released a report on more than 70 incidents targeting American mosques and religious institutions in 2015 that showed a greater frequency of damage, destruction, vandalism, and intimidation than in any other year since CAIR started tracking such cases in 2009.

He said flyers stating "Ban Islam from America" and other anti-Muslim rhetoric were posted recently at the planned site of the Islamic Center of Mukilteo in Mukilteo, Wash.

SEE: Site of Planned Mosque in Mukilteo Vandalized

CAIR's Houston chapter also recently called on the FBI and state law enforcement authorities to investigate an apparently bias-motived threat to bomb a local Islamic center.

SEE: CAIR-Houston Calls on FBI to Probe Bomb Threat Targeting Islamic Center

A Florida man was sentenced for threatening to firebomb two mosques in that state.

SEE: Man Sentenced After Threatening to Shoot 2 Mosques with Firebombs

In Connecticut, sentencing was delayed for a man who pleaded guilty to firing a gun into a mosque.

SEE: Sentencing of Meriden Mosque Shooter Pushed Back to June

Earlier this month, CAIR and the Tennessee �based American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged attack on a Muslim woman in that state as a possible hate crime.

SEE: CAIR, AMAC Call for State, Federal Hate Crime Probes of Attack on Tenn. Muslim Woman

CAIR also offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of a hate attack on a Muslim woman in Washington, D.C., during which the attacker allegedly shouted religious slurs and statements of support for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Video: CAIR Offers Reward for Info About DC Hate Attack on Muslim Woman

CAIR's Oklahoma chapter welcomed state and federal hate crime investigations of the stabbing of a Savanna, Okla., gas station clerk who was reportedly called a "terrorist" by the alleged attacker.

SEE: CAIR-OK Welcomes Hate Crime Probes of Attack on Gas Station Clerk Called 'Terrorist'

These acts of vandalism, threats and attacks come at a time of rising Islamophobia nationwide, prompted at least in part by anti-Muslim rhetoric employed by public figures like Donald Trump.

CAIR: 'It could get a lot worse for Muslims in America' (Washington Post)
Donald Trump and the Spike in Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes in the U.S.

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.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may call CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or email civilrights@cair.com.


CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

• CAIR-FL Rep Among Veterans to Be Memorialized at Wall of Honor
  
  The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida) announced that its Communications Director Wilfredo A. Ruiz's, name will today be permanently included in the Wall of Honor Memorial in Tamarac, Fla.
  
  On the Memorial Day's ceremony, Tamarac veterans' legacy will be perpetuated as part of a monument at Tamarac Veteran's Park in Southgate Boulevard, where their names are inscribed in the Wall of Honor Sculpture.
  • Backgrounder: Ruiz was interviewed in a 2014 CAIR video featuring American Muslim veterans associated with the Muslim civil rights organization expressing pride in serving their nation through military service and sacrifice.
  • 2014 Video: CAIR Marks Memorial Day with Release of Video Featuring Muslim Veterans
• CAIR: Anti-Islamophobia 'Pill' at US Convention Pulls Crowd
  
  The "Islamophobin" pill, launched by a Muslim association to counter Islamophobia in America, has attracted crowds at the Islamic Circle of North America-Muslim American Society convention in the U.S. state of Maryland.
• Video: CAIR-LA Supports Business that Took a Stand Against Islamophobia
  • CAIR: Gun-Toting Men in Al Jazeera Video Warn Texas Muslims: 'Don't [Mess] With White People' (Dallas Morning News)
    
    The video, "Armed and Vigilant: In Fear of a Muslim Uprising in Texas" (which contains some profanity), starts with reporter Tania Rashid talking to David Wright, a member of a group that calls itself the Bureau of American-Islamic Relations, or BAIR. The group's name is a play on the national Muslim advocacy CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
  • MA: Anti-Arab Vandal Targets Mass. Mini Mart
    
    The words "Arab I.E.D. Sleeper Cell" were spray-painted across one window, and "I.E.D. Arab" across the other.
  • North Carolina Community Takes on Anti-Muslim Activist
  • Anti-Islam Speaker Sparks Protest at Minn. Church
    
    When anti-Muslim activist, Bill Warner, was invited to speak in Pinehurst, North Carolina, several residents decided to take action.
• CAIR-AZ: Gaza Refugee Finally Freed From Arizona Immigration Jail

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Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003

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