Muslim civil rights group seeks support from county leaders amidst unprecedented hate/bias reports
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned reported Islamophobic harassment targeting the Islamic Center of Owings Mills (ICOM) in Baltimore County, Maryland by a male individual who reportedly has been making disruptive calls and sending hostile, hateful, anti-Muslim messages to mosque leaders.
CAIR is also urging the local Muslim community and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.”
A mosque leader described “unhinged” chilling messages and conversations attacking Islam and vilifying Muslims by the unnamed person that have created alarm and concern.
CAIR is calling for stepped up protection by law enforcement for the ICOM community, and is urging County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. and the Baltimore County Council to do more to address the unprecedented Islamophobia and support their Muslim constituents.
“Muslim and Arab communities in Maryland continue to grapple with the consequences of surging bigotry, xenophobia, censorship, and erasure amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the persistent dehumanization of Palestinians,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry. “In this tense political climate, it’s all the more important that our elected officials publicly condemn rising hate and extend their support to ICOM and other communities impacted by hate.”
This report makes for at least seven Maryland mosques that have been targeted by hate bias in recent weeks. The Maryland office of CAIR received an unprecedented 223 complaints, reports of hate bias incidents and requests for assistance between October 9 – December 2, 2023 – on average, a four-to-five fold monthly increase as compared with the month of September.
Safety concerns are mounting following yesterday’s tragic murder of a beloved Imam, Hassan Sharif in Newark, New Jersey, who was fatally shot in a senseless act of violence while opening the local mosque for the morning prayer service. No arrests have been made in the crime, and a motive is not yet known.
SEE: Imam fatally shot outside a New Jersey mosque remembered for his community leadership
New Jersey Police Seek Killer of Muslim Leader Outside Newark Mosque
Chaudry said: “To God we belong and to God is our return. CAIR extends its sincerest condolences to the family of Imam Sharif and the Muslim community in Newark who he served.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Director of Maryland Outreach Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062