(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/28/2023) – The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the alleged physical attack on state Rep. Maryam Khan and her family while they were attending Eid al-Adha (EED-AL-ODD-HA) prayers at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.
Rep. Khan, her sister, a female friend and Khan’s three children — a 15 and 10-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son — were reportedly approached by a man, who made vulgar and obscene remarks. Khan told CAIR-CT the attacker grabbed and hit her and threw her to the ground. Another worshipper intervened, chased and held the suspect until police arrived. Rep. Khan, her sister, and her older daughter wear religious head scarves, or hijab.
SEE: Connecticut’s Muslim community commemorates Eid al-Adah
[NOTE: Eid al-Adha, commonly referred to as just “Eid,” commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command. The holiday is celebrated with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy, and social gatherings.]
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“We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for this attack and to ensure the safety of the Connecticut Muslim community during the ongoing Eid al-Adha celebrations,” said CAIR-Connecticut Chair Farhan Memon. “All too often we have seen American Muslims, or those perceived to be Muslim, targeted by hate because of their attire, race or ethnicity.”
He said that the Eid al-Adha prayer service in Hartford was the largest gathering of Muslims in recent years and warranted a heightened police presence given the increase in attacks against houses of worship and Muslims in particular. The Muslim community had to hire two off-duty officers at their own expense.
Memon added: “Given the size and prominence of the event more officers should have been present. Other cities and towns in Connecticut have proactively assigned officers to mosques to protect against such attacks.”
Last year, CAIR released a report, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” documenting more than 6,720 complaints to CAIR offices nationwide involving a range of issues including immigration and travel, workplace discrimination, denial of public accommodations, law enforcement and government overreach, hate and bias incidents, incarceree rights, school incidents, anti-BDS/free speech, among other reported issues.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Connecticut Chair Farhan Memon, 203-517-6526 or fmemon@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com