Muslim civil rights group urges leaders to reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and take concrete action against Islamophobia
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community following stabbing attacks in Edinburgh that authorities say appear to have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred and left five people injured.
Reports indicate that several of the victims were targeted near a mosque and that counter-terrorism officers are assisting in the investigation.
According to media reports, a 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with multiple attacks across Edinburgh. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials have stated that the suspect appears to have been motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred.”
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“We stand in solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community and all those affected by these disturbing attacks. No one should fear violence because of their faith or ethnicity. Political leaders, media professionals, and public officials must reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and conspiracy theories that dehumanize Muslims and contribute to a climate in which hate crimes can occur. We welcome the ongoing investigation and urge authorities to ensure that all aspects of this apparent anti-Muslim attack are fully examined and prosecuted.”
CAIR noted that anti-Muslim incidents have increased in a number of Western nations in recent years and reiterated its call for government leaders to take concrete steps to address Islamophobia and other forms of hatred before they escalate into violence.
Earlier this month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the British Muslim community after an imam’s (Islamic religious leader) house was firebombed in Bolton.
CAIR also condemned racist riots in Northern Ireland and expressed support for calls by Dutch Muslim organizations seeking increased protection for mosques following a series of vandalism attacks, hate letters, and other anti-Muslim incidents targeting Islamic houses of worship in the Netherlands.
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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