(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/14/16) – The Council on American-Islamic-Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities in Kentucky to investigate vandalism of a mosque in that state as a possible hate crime.
The Islamic Center of Owensboro in Owensboro, Ky., was vandalized with paint targeting the mosque’s sign, walls and door sometime over the weekend. This was the second such act of vandalism in less than a year. (NOTE: CAIR called for a similar hate crime probe at that time.) The Owensboro Police Department is conducting extra patrols in the area of the center.
SEE: Owensboro Islamic Center Vandalized for Second Time This Year
Islamic Center of Owensboro Vandalized with Paint
“Given the spike in anti-Muslim incidents nationwide since the November 8 election, and the previous incident targeting the mosque, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for this vandalism,†said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Since November 8, CAIR has noted a spike in incidents targeting American Muslims and their institutions.
SEE: CAIR-Michigan Calls for Hate Crime Probe After Muslim Woman Forced to Remove Hijab
The FBI reported today that anti-Muslim hate crimes jumped 67 percent in 2015.
SEE: Hate Crimes Against Muslims Up by 67% Last Year
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members who believe their rights have been violated to contact local police and CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com