The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a new hate-crime reporting website intended to help increase reporting of hate or bias-motivated incidents and encouraged Maryland Muslims to utilize this tool in addition to reporting incidents to CAIR.
This week, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced the new reporting website, stating: “…my office has committed to fighting hate in Maryland, so we can make our state safer for everyone.”
SEE: Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown Announce New MD Online Reporting System
The civil rights organization, which participated in the development of the system, noted that the online system is intended to address underreporting and improve the quality of data that is used to statewide legislation, efforts, and policies to end hate bias in Maryland.
Hate crimes are largely underreported by American Muslims. According to the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, more than 80 percent of hate-bias incidents experienced by American Muslims go unreported.
“Reporting hate incidents will help strengthen our community’s ability to protect our rights and obtain resources, including access to trainings, programs and grant funding,” said CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi. “We urge Maryland Muslims to utilize this new reporting mechanism, in addition to reporting bias incidents to CAIR.”
SEE: Maryland’s new hate-crime reporting website
The portal contains an online reporting form, resources for victims and witnesses, and information on hate crimes and relevant government agencies. It is available in multiple languages. Users who need additional assistance can also report incidents by calling the state’s Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-866-481-8361.
SEE: State unveils online portal for hate-crime reporting, as incidents continue to rise
TO REPORT AN INCIDENT TO CAIR, VISIT: https://www.cair.com/report/
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 Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293