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 to investigate a “vile” racist message sent to a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) official at a school district in Maine as a possible hate crime.
South Portland School Department’s DEI coordinator Mohammed Albehadli’s resigned after he received the racist email last month. Albehadli says he may leave the area over concerns for the safety of his family.
South Portland Superintendent Tim Matheney announced Mohammed Albehadli’s departure and described the racist communication as the “most vile email message I have seen in my 35 years in education.” “Mohammed and his family developed concerns about their safety and reconsidered their decision to live in the area,” Matheney said.
“Growing attacks on American Muslims and other communities in our diverse society must be repudiated,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this troubling incident to determine whether it rose to the level of a crime.”
McCaw added: “We also call on local law enforcement authorities to provide Mr. Albehadli and family the protection that they deserve.”
He noted that CAIR recently released updated civil rights data showing that it has continued to receive a “staggering” increase in complaints of anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ 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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@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