The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate reported threats targeting a Tallahassee mosque as a hate crime.
Police are investigating threats to the Islamic Center of Tallahassee after someone taped a small American flag to the side of the mosque and wrote: “Not Welcome Go Home & Preach & Take that Stupid Quran with You.” A mosque official also said he has been getting threatening text messages.
In a statement, Wilfredo A. Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Communications Director, said:
“These reported threats targeting the Islamic Center of Tallahassee are deeply disturbing and appear to be motivated by anti-Muslim bigotry. Houses of worship must be places of peace and safety, not targets of intimidation and hate. We call on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime and to ensure the safety of the congregation.
“Public officials and community leaders must speak out clearly and unequivocally against anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of bigotry. An attack on one faith community is an attack on all.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR is urging community and mosque leaders to use advice offered in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
Earlier this week, CAIR offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who reportedly fired multiple shots at a vehicle driven by an imam, or Islamic religious leader, affiliated with the Utah Islamic Center, the largest mosque in the state.
Also this week, CAIR-Philadelphia called for a hate crime investigation and announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting at the Pike County Islamic Center in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.]
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, foster dialogue, safeguard civil liberties for all, empower American Muslims, and form coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACTS: Wilfredo A. Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Communications Director, 305-502-6749, wruiz@cair.com; Chelsea Mandrigues, Communications Coordinator, 813-705-5440, cmandrigues@cair.com; 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