Over the weekend, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined Dar Al-Nur, Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, and Muslim American Society of DC, at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia, to stand in solidarity with the Dar Al-Nur Community Center ahead of a critical court hearing on July 16 after more than two years of alleged harassment and anti-Muslim hostility directed at the institution and its congregants.
During the event, CAIR briefed attendees on the extensive advocacy efforts undertaken on behalf of the Dar Al-Nur community, including engagement with law enforcement, prosecutors, and regulatory agencies; support for witnesses participating in ongoing investigations; legal advocacy; and strategic community mobilization.
Video: CAIR Demands Hate Crime Charges for Mosque Attacker in Virginia
SEE: Video of Dr. Tony Hsiao Harassing Muslim Women at Dar Al Nur
CAIR also conducted a brief Know Your Rights presentation, equipping community members with practical guidance on recognizing hate crimes, documenting incidents, preserving evidence, interacting with law enforcement, and responding safely should acts of bias or intimidation occur.
CAIR is encouraging community members throughout the DMV to continue demonstrating their support by attending the upcoming court proceedings.
Thursday, July 16, at 9:30 a.m.
Fairfax County General District Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
SEE: Flyer to Support Dar Al Nur
BACKGROUNDER:
For more than two decades, Dar Al-Nur has served Muslim families throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia as one of the region’s oldest and most respected Qur’an schools. Generations of students have studied within its classrooms, and many of today’s imams, Qur’an teachers, and taraweeh leaders throughout the DMV trace their Islamic education back to Dar Al-Nur.
Over the past two years, however, members of the Dar Al-Nur community have reported repeated acts of harassment, intimidation, and anti-Muslim hostility allegedly perpetrated by an individual associated with the property where the school operates. The matter has resulted in ongoing criminal proceedings, including an assault charge that has since been elevated to a hate crime.
“This case is about much more than one community center,” said Nicole Fauster Bradford, Esq., Community Advocacy Director at CAIR. “It is about whether Muslim children can learn the Qur’an free from intimidation, whether families can practice their faith without fear, and whether those who target religious communities will be held accountable. The extraordinary turnout at this event demonstrates that the Dar Al-Nur community does not stand alone.”
SEE: Community Called to Fill the Courthouse (Instagram Video)
Imam Mohamed stated:
“The July hearing marks an important milestone in the criminal prosecution after the assault charge was elevated to a hate crime: a significant step toward accountability and affirming that religiously motivated intimidation has no place in Virginia. A visible community presence inside and outside the courthouse will send a powerful message that attacks on Muslim institutions are attacks on the broader community and that intimidation will not deter families from practicing their faith. Dar Al-Nur has spent decades raising generations of Muslims across the DMV. Now, the community has an opportunity to stand with Dar Al-Nur.”
CAIR is urging Muslim community leaders to utilize CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” bookletto help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
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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