(PHILADELPHIA, PA., 10/20/2023) – The Philadelphia chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation into an alleged vandalism that targeted United Muslim Islamic Center (UMIC), a South Philadelphia Islamic center.
Vandals reportedly spray-painted the entrance doors and windows of the Islamic center with graffiti including messaging that includes “Muslim men are stupid and dumb.” Among the graffiti scribbled on a neighbor’s property was “Sunnah women are stupid.”
The Islamic Center informed the police of the incident and camera records from area buildings are being monitored.
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said:
“Safety for all houses of worship should be non-negotiable. This is the second alleged bias incident our community has experienced in Philadelphia in the last two days. We call on politicians and the media to take responsibility for their careless discourse harming our Muslim communities and urge law enforcement authorities to swiftly investigates and hold accountable those responsible for adding to the trauma of our Muslim communities.
“UMIC is a model community serving South Philadelphia communities, they should be able to pray and congregate in peace, without having to watch their backs.”
Tekelioglu noted an increasing number of Pennsylvania mosques have shown interest in securing grants from Pennsylvania state and the Federal government that help with mosque security.
He said CAIR-Philadelphia assisted over 15 mosques obtain these grants in the recent years. Pennsylvania state law has the Ethnic Intimidation Act which was passed to prosecute individuals who commit acts such as in this case as well as to act as a deterrent to individuals that desire to weaponize racial and religious animus.
“It is unfortunate that the current climate of the world today has inspired people to act in very emotional and hateful ways. We pray for the safety of all Masajid and fellow communities of faith,” said Qasim Rashad, president of UMIC and its parent organization United Muslim Masjid (UMM). “As Muslims we are tolerant and forgiving but we are not pacifist. We don’t turn a cheek when we are transgressed upon. However, if this individual would like to come forward to talk with us we can arrange a meeting.”
BACKGROUNDER ON INCREASED ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY SINCE ESCALATION OF MIDEAST VIOLENCE
CAIR and its affiliates nationwide have documented an increase in incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry in the weeks following the escalation of violence in Gaza.
CAIR-Chicago announced that hate crime charges were brought against a man who reportedly threatened to shoot two Muslim men after allegedly shouting anti-Muslim statements.
CAIR-SFBA recently condemned a verbal assault on a Muslim woman on her way to pick up her daughter from school.
SEE: Video: CAIR-SFBA Condemns Possible Hate Crime Targeting Muslim Woman
On Oct. 17, CAIR-LA condemned an attack targeting students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) while they attended a virtual Palestine Emergency Panel.
SEE: CAIR-LA Condemns Attacks Against Pro-Palestine UCLA Students, Calls for Investigation and Ban by School
On Oct. 16, CAIR-LA condemned an attack targeting pro-Palestinian protesters during a demonstration in West Los Angeles.
SEE: CAIR-LA Condemns Attack on Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Los Angeles
On Oct. 16, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a threatening message sent to an Oregon Islamic organization as a possible hate crime.
SEE: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of ‘Die Muslims Die’ Message to Oregon Islamic Organization
On Oct. 15, CAIR-Chicago decried the reported stabbing death of a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy and the stabbing of his mother.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Hate Crime Charge for ‘You Muslims Must Die’ Killing of Palestinian-American Child
On Oct. 13, CAIR-Texas called for the arrest of several men seen harassing students at the University of Texas during a Palestine Solidarity Committee meeting on the recent violence and deaths in the Gaza Strip.
SEE: CAIR-Texas Calls for Campus Ban of Men who Harassed Students at U. Texas Palestinian Solidarity Meeting
Also on Oct. 13, CAIR-MI applauded the swift arrest of a Michigan resident who was allegedly making credible threats against Palestinians in Dearborn and calls on prosecutors to charge Farmington Hills resident with a hate crime under Michigan’s current Ethnic Intimidation Law.
SEE: CAIR-MI Welcomes Arrest of Person Allegedly Threatening to Shoot Palestinians in Dearborn, Calls for Hate Crime Enhancement
Also on Oct. 13, CAIR-Cleveland called for a hate crime investigation after an individual reportedly breached security protocols to gain unauthorized access to its office in an apparent attempt to disrupt the private event held by the civil rights organization.
SEE: CAIR-Cleveland Calls for Hate Crime Probe After Harasser Breaches Office
On Oct. 12, CAIR-NY condemned alleged anti-Palestinian attacks in Brooklyn and called on public officials and the media to end anti-Palestinian incitement.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Palestinian Attacks in Brooklyn, Urges Officials and Media to End Anti-Palestinian Incitement
On Oct. 11, CAIR-Chicago reported a spike in hate calls/emails, and community concern outreach since the outbreak of violence in the Middle East.
SEE: CAIR-Chicago Reports Spike in Hate Messages, Community Concerns Received After Outbreak of Mideast Violence
Also on Oct. 11, CAIR’s Maryland office condemned growing reports it is receiving of Muslim and Arab students experiencing harassment and intimidation in public high schools and on college and university campuses.
SEE: CAIR’s Maryland Office Condemns Growing Reports of Muslim, Arab Students Harassed on School and College Campuses
On Oct. 10, CAIR-MA called on law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a sign for Palestinian and Islamic organizations in Boston as a possible hate crime.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR-MA Calls for Hate Crime Probe of ‘Nazis’ Vandalism Targeting Boston Palestinian, Islamic Sign
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-Philadelphia Executive Director, Ahmet Tekelioglu, PhD, atekelioglu@cair.com; 617-401-5397