Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Warmongering Islamophobia in the US, October 1-10, 2016, CAIR Reports

October 13, 2016 

Editorial Note:

Islamphobia (exaggerated and baseless fear of Muslims) has been perpetrated and perpetuated to justify the continuous US wars and invasions of the Muslim World since 1990, in order for the war industry beneficiaries to justify the enormous and unprecedented US national debt, which has reached more than $19 trillion, as a result of the permanent-war military spending.

Tens of thousands of Americans are killed by non-Muslim other Americans every year, in gun violence. However, Islamophobes ignore that fact and focus on an incident or two perpetrated by Muslims in an entire year.

For example, in 2015, there were 53,228 shooting incidents, resulting in the killing of 13,415 Americans. Of these, there were only two incidents perpetrated by Muslims and resulting in the killing of 18 Americans.

The Zionist media, like Fox News and CNN, together with the  war industry agents and Zionist-controlled politicians like Trump, kept mentioning these two incidents while totally ignoring the other 53,226 incidents, which resulted in the killing of 13,398 Americans!

The end outcome is that the American people are indeed actual victims of a continuous warmongering campaign, Islamophobia, and a daily holocaust, perpetrated against them by the war industry beneficiaries and their agents in the media and politics.

For a background, read: 

Zionist Creative Destruction of the Middle East for the Benefit of the Apartheid Israeli Regime

The Terrorism Industry, A Merciless Continuous Attack on the American People's Blood and Treasure

 

• CAIR Reminds 150K Muslim Voters of State Registration Deadlines
  
  Over the past weekend, CAIR called some 150,000 Muslims nationwide to remind them to register to vote before state deadline. CAIR's telephone voice message broadcast was conducted using a list of unregistered voters.
  
  This week, the opportunity to register to vote for the upcoming presidential election will come to an end in many states.
  
  "CAIR is urging American Muslims who are eligible to vote, but have not yet registered, to consider the importance of this year's election and take just a few moments to register to vote," said CAIR Director of Government Affairs Robert S. McCaw. "As American Muslim civil rights are being challenged and our community's loyalty is questioned by hateful political actors, our best response is to exercise our constitutional rights and mobilize to vote.
  
  
• Video: CAIR-Cleveland Director Julie Shearson Reacts to 2nd Presidential Debate
  • CAIR-MI: Metro Detroit Reaction to Presidential Debate Islamophobia Comments Mixed
    
    Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on Islamic Relations-Detroit, said he was disappointed by the responses of Trump and Clinton in how they would fight discrimination against Muslim-Americans. He said the candidates brought ISIS into a conversation about fighting Islamophobia, creating "an implicit bias."
  • CAIR-Missouri: Protesters March Amid Presidential Debate
    
    Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Delmar Loop for what was billed as a "Say No to Hate" and "Come Get Our Vote" rally.
    
    "This isn't just about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. This is about what is our country going to look like?" said Faizan Syed, an organizer and the executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations in St. Louis.
• CAIR-FL: Official Lied About Pulling Polling Site from Mosque
  
  Last week, the Council for Islamic-American Relations, or CAIR, revealed that Bucher told Boca Raton police that she made the decision to move the precinct before allegedly receiving the bomb threat. In a press release the group blasted Bucher for not telling the truth and CAIR-Florida Executive Director Hassan Shibly noted that Bucher's earlier position "only served to incite the very types of threats she claimed to act against."

CAIR Calls for Probe of North Carolina School Bus Assault on 7-Year-Old Muslim

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/10/16) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called for an investigation of an alleged assault on a 7-year-old Muslim student in North Carolina as he was riding home on a school bus.

The victim, an American citizen of Pakistani heritage and a student at Weatherstone Elementary School in Cary, N.C., was reportedly assaulted Friday afternoon by five other children riding in the bus who allegedly made references to Islam, Muslims and Pakistan during the attack. [NOTE: The victim was too traumatized to give a detailed report on the attack.]

According to the boy's father, his son was punched in the face, had his arm twisted and was kicked in the stomach. The father said his children had faced bullying in the past.

In a letter to Wake County Public School System Superintendent Dr. James Merrill, CAIR wrote in part:

"The report of this alleged attack comes at a time of increasing bullying of Muslim students nationwide. We urge you to investigate this disturbing incident and to take appropriate actions based on the results of that investigation. All students, regardless of faith or ethnicity, must feel safe in their learning environment."

Local police have also been notified of the alleged assault.

CAIR's California chapter recently welcomed the signing of "Safe Place to Learn" legislation designed to protect vulnerable Muslim and Sikh students who are facing bullying in schools.

Video: CAIR-LA Director Hussam Ayloush Interviewed About Bullying of Muslim Students

In Florida, CAIR's chapter announced the statewide release of a survey on bullying targeting Muslim students.

SEE: CAIR-Florida Launches Statewide Survey on Bullying of Muslim Students

CAIR offers a booklet, called "An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.

SEE: An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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

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CAIR-MI Files EEO Complaint on Behalf of Albanian-American Muslim CBP Officer

Muslim officer allegedly charged, harassed, threatened, and denied promotion for refusing to become informant

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today announced that it has filed an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of an Albanian-American Muslim CBP officer.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CAIR-AL Calls for Probe of Alabama Police Chief's 'Bacon Grease' Bullets Facebook Posts

(BIRMINGHAM, AL, 10/7/16) - The Alabama chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama) is calling for an independent investigation of Facebook posts by a police chief in that state referring to "bacon grease covered bullets," a theme often used by anti-Muslim bigots because they falsely believe Muslims cannot enter heaven if they are shot by such ammunition.

On September 23, Barry Pendergraft, chief of police at the Gurley Police Department in the Town of Gurley, AL., posted a photograph on his personal Facebook account of a box of ammunition with the text: "100 more bacon grease covered bullets in the box! This relaxes me so!!" On September 27, he posted a video of ammunition loading with the text: "Happiness is a couple thousand rounds in the ammo box! Bacon grease dipped of course!!"

Barry Pendergraft, Chief of Police
Barry Pendergraft's Facebook Page

"We call on state and federal authorities to investigate whether the evident anti-Muslim bigotry expressed by Chief Pendergraft is acceptable for someone in his position, who is obligated to provide all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, equal and fair treatment," said CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed.

Hadeed said there has been an unprecedented rise in Islamophobia nationwide, which she attributed at least in part to anti-Muslim bigotry expressed by Donald Trump and other public figures.

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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed, 205-313-6489, or 334-224-2196, kHadeed@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

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• CAIR-SFBA to Host Candidates' Forum at Santa Clara Mosque
  
  
  • CAIR-CA Releases 2016 School Bullying Survey
• CAIR: Mike Pence's Disavowal of Trump's Muslim Ban is Disingenuous (NY Times)
  
  Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that Mr. Trump could not simply turn the page on the Muslim ban.
  
  "Whatever the Trump campaign claims is the current version of its Muslim ban, the original absolutist language of a 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States' � along with other bigoted statements � reflect a systematic and toxic use of Islamophobia that has had a tremendously harmful impact on the lives of ordinary American Muslims and on the unity of our nation," Mr. Awad said.
• CAIR-AZ Seeks Relief for Recently-Settled Refugee Family After Apparent Retaliatory Eviction
  
  The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) is seeking relief for members of a recently-resettled refugee family who are alleging that they have been unjustly ordered to be evicted from their home in Phoenix.
  
  The family, which arrived last year, had previously raised concerns to apartment management regarding dangerous and unsanitary living conditions. They made repeated requests to management to rectify these requests, however the concerns went unaddressed.
  
  
• Video: CAIR-MI Rep Interviewed About Threat to Bomb Planned Islamic School
  • CAIR-LA Condemns Hate Attack on Sikh Man in Bakersfield
    
    The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) is condemning an apparently bias-motivated attack on a Sikh man in Bakersfield, Calif.
    
    Balmeet Singh was reportedly attacked Friday night while standing in front of the Habit Burger talking on his phone when another man began shouting racial slurs and threw a cup of soda at the victim.
  • NY Man Faces Hate Crime for Anti-Islam Graffiti
  • Penn. Attacker Asks Victim "What are you, from the Middle East?"
• CAIR: Airlines Under Scrutiny for Profiling of Muslim Passengers
  
  On Wednesday, Makhzoomi and the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a complaint against Southwest Airlines with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The complaint calls for a federal investigation into Southwest Airlines' practices that can result in discrimination against Muslims, said Saba Maher, the civil rights coordinator for the CAIR chapter.
  • Video: CAIR-Alabama Director Interviewed About Profiling Complaint Filed Against Southwest Airlines
  • CAIR-SFBA: Complaint Accuses Southwest for Profiling of Muslim Passenger
    
• CAIR: NY State Senator Seeks Probe of Agency's Mosque Approval
  
  According to Council on American Islamic Relations spokesman Ibrahim Hooper, opposition to mosque construction is often Islamophobic, although opponents of the Flushing mosque proposal have said that they are not against it because of the religion.
  
  "We always hear that the opposition has nothing to do with it being a mosque or a school or a Muslim cemetery until you scratch the surface and you almost always find a level of anti-Muslim bias," Hooper said.

CAIR Director Nihad Awad Named to 2017 List of World's '500 Most Influential Muslims'

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/6/16) � Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has again been named to "The Muslim 500: The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims."

Awad's entry on the list states:

"Nihad Awad is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR is the most prominent Muslim lobby group in the US and is frequently sought out by the media and politicians for the Islamic perspective on events. Awad is one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You and participates regularly in the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Awad coordinated the formal release of the Open Letter to Al-Baghdadi, signed by over 120 leading Muslim scholars and academics, which rejected the teachings which DA'ISH are promoting."

SEE: The Muslim 500 - Nihad Awad

American Muslims named to the list include Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, Sheila Musaji Linda Sarsour, Imam Mohammed Majid, Dr. Sherman Jackson, Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. Keith Ellison, and many others.

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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, nnaeem@cair.com

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• CAIR-Missouri to Join Major March to 'Say No to Hate' During Presidential Debate
  
  On Sunday, October 9, the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri) will join dozens of other organizations and thousands of people for the "Say No to Hate: Come Get Our Vote" Presidential Debate March.
  
  WHAT: Say No to Hate: Come Get Our Vote
  WHEN: Sunday, October 9, 5 P.M.
  WHERE: Delmar Loop Parking Lot 6691 Delmar Boulevard, University City, MO
  FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/179002272507024/
  CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626, faizan@cair-stl.org
• CAIR: The FBI�s Secret Methods for Recruiting Informants at the Border
  
  For the most part, the clients of the attorneys interviewed for this article declined to speak on the record, because they feared retaliation from the authorities or because their immigration status was still unsettled. Masih Fouladi, a legal advocate with the Council on American-Islamic Relations for the Los Angeles area, recounted the recent experience of one man he represents, a U.S. citizen of Indian background who is in his 20s.
• CAIR: Northeast Ohio Muslims to Co-Host 'Teatime for Peace' to Challenge Islamophobia, Stereotypes
  
  On Tuesday, October 18, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church and local religious, civil society and social justice groups will co-host a "Teatime for Peace" event to provide the chance to get to know the local Muslim community and to help dispel stereotypes about Islam and Muslims.
• CAIR-CA: Governor Signs Anti-Bullying Bill in Response to Islamophobia
  • Teachers Tout 'Trump Effect' in New Anti-Bullying, Pro-Clinton Ads
  • TN: School Board Member Calls for Removal of Textbook Over Islam Content
  • Kansas City School Board Passes Resolution Condemning Violence and Hate Speech Against Muslim Students
• Meet Your Muslim Neighbor Event in Minnesota Interrupted by Anti-Muslim Activist

(SANTA CLARA, CA, 10/5/2016) � The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today filed a complaint with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings against Southwest Airlines for racial and religious profiling of a Muslim passenger.

In its complaint, CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Coordinator Saba Maher stated: "We write to request a federal investigation on behalf on behalf of our client, Mr. Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, who was removed from a Southwest Airlines fight for speaking Arabic while sitting in a plane."

On April 6, 2016, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, a college student at the University of California, Berkeley, was removed from Southwest Airlines after another passenger overhead him speaking Arabic on the phone. Makhzoomi was taken off Flight 4620 from Los Angeles International Airport to Oakland International Airport after making a brief call to his uncle and concluding the call with a common Islamic phrase in Arabic, "inshallah," meaning "God willing."

Shortly after making that call, an Arabic-speaking Southwest Airlines employee approached Mr. Makhzoomi and escorted him off the plane, asked him why he was speaking in Arabic considering today's "political climate." The Southwest Airlines employee then informed Makhzoomi that he would not be boarding the plane again.

SEE: Arabic-Speaking Student Kicked Off Southwest Flight

CAIR-SFBA is calling on the DOT to hold Southwest Airlines accountable for their actions against Makhzoomi.

In her letter to the DOT, Maher, wrote: "By removing Mr. Makhzoomi from his flight solely because he spoke in his native Arabic language, Southwest Airlines discriminated against Mr. Makhzoomi in violation of 49 U.S.C.S. § 40127(a), which prohibits an air carrier from subjecting "a person in air transportation to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or ancestry."

CAIR-SFBA is calling on the DOT to "help guarantee that U.S. air carriers will remain in compliance with federal law prohibiting discrimination." 

CAIR has recently dealt with a number of reports of profiling of Muslim travelers.

SEE: CAIR-Cincinnati to Announce Religious Profiling Complaint Against Delta Airlines

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization publishes a "Know Your Rights and Responsibilities" pocket guide that includes a section on "Your Rights as an Airline Passenger."

CAIR: Your Rights as an Airline Passenger

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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo, zbilloo@cair.com (408) 986-9874; CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Coordinator Saba Maher, (408) 986-9874, smaher@cair.com 

***

• Video: CAIR-LA Director Hussam Ayloush Interviewed About Bullying of Muslim Students
  • Video: CAIR-CA Celebrates Passage of Legislation Addressing Bullying of Muslim, Sikh Students
  • Georgia Educator Fired After Racists, Anti-Muslim Posts
  • Runner in a Hijab Responds with Grace After Backlash to Historic Magazine Cover
• CAIR-Pittsburgh Action Alert: Are you registered to vote?
  
  The upcoming election is crucial for all Americans. Every vote counts and you cannot afford to sit back and say, "I won't vote, it makes no difference who comes to power." Yes, it does make a difference. Who knows it may be that one single vote that becomes a deciding factor for who comes to power. Exercise your right to vote, for you have a say in this country. InshaAllah.
• CAIR: Northeast Ohio Muslim Voters to Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party
  
  On Sunday, October 9, the Cleveland chapter of the American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and the Muslim Association of Cleveland East (MACE Mosque) will co-host a Muslim voter watch party during the second presidential debate.
  
  WHAT: Muslim Voter Presidential Debate Watch Party
  WHEN: Sunday, October 9, 2016
  TIME: 6:56 p.m. Maghrib Prayers; 7:30 p.m. Community Supper (8:12 Isha Prayers); 9 � 10:30 p.m. Presidential Debate Viewing
  WHERE: Muslim Association of Cleveland East (MACE Mosque) 26901 Chardon Road, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143
  CONTACT: CAIR Cleveland Executive Director Julia Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, jshearson@cair.com

CAIR-Chicago Concerned About Hyper-Militarized, Anti-Muslim Law Enforcement Training

(CHICAGO, IL, 10/4/16) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today expressed deep concerns about anti-Muslim and hyper-militarized tactical training at the upcoming Illinois Tactical Officers Association's (ITOA) 2016 Tactical Training Conference taking place at the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Center in Hoffman Estates from October 9-13. 

CAIR-Chicago is calling on Stonegate as well as Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) and other government agencies to end their relationships with ITOA.

ITOA's Tactical Training Conference is a five-day SWAT tactical training and weapons expo aimed at training local police and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) "like tactical squads in the military", and increasing the flow of weapons and militarized technology into greater Chicagoland and throughout nation. This poses a direct threat to Muslim communities and communities of color.

The keynote speaker for the conference is Sebastian Gorka, a far-right extremist and Donald Trump consultant who has consistently called for the expansion of law enforcement to carry out suspicionless monitoring and surveillance of Muslim and refugee communities.

SEE: Far-Right Trump Consultant to Be Honored Speaker at Illinois Police SWAT Training

CAIR-Chicago will be hosting a press conference Thursday at 10:00 AM along with Black Lives Matter-Chicago, Arab American Action Network, Center for New Communities, and other organizations to give statements and answer questions.

WHEN: Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 10:00am CST
WHO: CAIR-Chicago, Black Lives Matter - Chicago, Arab American Action Network, Center for New Communities, Organized Communities Against Deportations
WHERE: CAIR-Chicago, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1500, Chicago IL, 60602
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 312-212-1520, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com

"Sebastian Gorka's entire career is largely built on fanning the flames of post-9/11 Islamophobic fear-mongering," says Hoda Katebi, communications coordinator of CAIR-Chicago. "This toxic climate of militarization in concert with anti-Muslim propaganda manifests into ever-more violent policing, use of military-grade equipment by local police, heightened warrantless surveillance and entrapment, and increased spending on policing rather than community services."

"The fact that a discredited anti-Muslim polemicist has been chosen as the keynote speaker at an event designed to train taxpayer-funded law enforcement officers is a double slap to the safety of our communities," says Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR-Chicago. "ITOA's misguided selection of Gorka is the latest in a series of high profile incidents in which trainers with well-documented bigoted and Islamophobic views are paid to indoctrinate law enforcement under the pretense of training."

ITOA is a small, non-governmental organization that works with Cook County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) and other government agencies to train local and federal law enforcement agents. US Marshals, military personnel, DHS agents, and other government personnel from across the nation frequently attend ITOA's conferences and weapons expos. The Safariland Group, a major military-grade weapons manufacturer whose tear gas canisters have been used from foreign dictatorships to Ferguson, is this year's ITOA Conference corporate sponsor.

Charles Baptist, the General Manager of Stonegate, refused to meet with a group of concerned Muslims from the surrounding community - some of the very same people who would experience the manifestations of the conference's hyper-policing, militarization and tactical trainings. Baptist refused to take action regarding the venue's complicity in housing a hyper-militarized conference rampant with Islamophobia. Instead, he suggested that profits would be placed over community concern and safety. "If David Duke wanted to throw a birthday party here," Baptist told CAIR-Chicago, "why would I say no?"

Beyond law enforcement, ITOA conference attendees include health professionals and emergency response personnel who will also be trained in a hyper-militarized and anti-Muslim environment. A recent report cites that almost half of victims of police shootings have had a disability status or mental health crisis.

The conference comes also only less than two months after CAIR-Chicago filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against members of the Chicago Police Department for the unlawful arrest, physical assault, racial profiling, and public humiliation of the female Muslim student Itemad Al-Matar--only one of numerous cases CAIR-Chicago has received involving CPD abuse and racial profiling.

SEE: CAIR-Chicago Announces Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit against Members of Chicago Police

CAIR-Chicago calls on Stonegate as well as DHSEM and other government agencies to end their relationship with ITOA and the hyper-militarization and Islamophobia that has proven to be harmful and deadly for communities of color across the nation.

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-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 312-212-1520, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Hoda Katebi, 312-212-1520, 405-413-1222, hkatebi@cair.com

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• Hadith of the Day: Be a Good Neighbor
  
  The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone is pleased to love God and His Messenger or to have God and His Messenger love him, he should speak the truth when he says anything, fulfill his trust when he is put in a position of authority and be a good neighbor."
  
  A man once asked the Prophet: "How can I know when I do well and when I do ill?" The Prophet replied: "When you hear your neighbors say you have done well, you have done well; and when you hear them say you have done ill, you have done ill."
  • Photos: Muslim Community Helps with Relief of Massive Iowa Flooding
• CAIR-CA: Civil Rights Organizations to Celebrate Passage of Landmark Legislation Addressing Bullying and Harassment of Muslim and Sikh Students
  • Minnesota Church Board Calls for Pastor's Resignation Over Anti-Islam Presentation
  • Republican Party of Kentucky Asks Candidate to Drop Out After Racist, Anti-Islam Posts
    
    
  • A Florida City That's Voting with Fear (Boston Globe)
• American Muslims Mobilize to stop Donald Trump
• White House Wants to Add New Add Middle Eastern and North African Census Category

CAIR Calls for Probe of Bias Motive for Attack on DC Muslim

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/2/16) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is calling on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for an attack Friday on a Washington, D.C., Muslim.

The man, who is of South Asian heritage and wears attire associated with the Islamic faith, reported to CAIR that a man punched him in the collar bone as he walked to the Dupont Circle metro stop in Washington, D.C., on his way to give the sermon at a Friday prayer (jummah). The victim believes the alleged assailant, who remained silent throughout the attack, was aiming for his throat but missed. A police report was filed about the attack.

"Given the unprecedented rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, we're concerned about a possible bias motive," CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper told DCist. "We don't know what the motive is now, but we're looking into it. The fact that he was dressed in quote Islamic attire is one of the things, just as headscarves seem to be."

SEE: Man Wearing Traditional Muslim Attire Punched Near Dupont Metro

CAIR noted a spike in anti-Muslim incidents in recent months, which the civil rights group attributes at least in part to Islamophobic rhetoric used by public figures like Donald Trump.

In May, CAIR offered a 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 Trump.

Video: CAIR Offers Reward for Info About DC Attack on Muslim Woman by Trump Supporter

Friday, CAIR's New York chapter welcomed increased hate crime charges against Emirjeta Xhelili for attacking two Brooklyn Muslim women pushing babies in strollers. 

SEE: CAIR-NY Welcomes Increased Hate Crime Charges for Attack on Brooklyn Muslim Women, Children

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization reported that 2016 is on track to be one of the worst years ever for anti-mosque incidents, with a total of 55 cases recorded as of mid-September. Last year there were a total of 79 recorded anti-mosque cases.

CAIR Report: 2016 on Track to Be One of the Worst Years for Anti-Mosque Incidents

The majority of the 2016 incidents have been violent in tone, characterized by intimidation, physical assault and property damage, destruction or vandalism.

CAIR is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to its Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: https://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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

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Council on American-Islamic Relations

453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003

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