The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the filing of assault charges against an individual accused of threatening a New Mexico Catholic priest who publicly supported the proposed construction of a mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley.
That alleged threat targeted a Catholic priest who had spoken out in support of the Muslim community’s constitutional right to build a house of worship and had rejected anti-Muslim rhetoric surrounding the proposed project.
SEE: New Mexico Catholic Priest Threatened for Supporting Proposed Mosque
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We welcome these assault charges and thank law enforcement authorities for taking this alleged threat seriously. No faith leader should face intimidation or violence for defending the constitutional rights and religious freedom of his neighbors.
“Standing against anti-Muslim hate and supporting the right of every community to worship freely should be recognized as an act of moral leadership, not one that invites threats or harassment.
“We commend Father Chavez for his courage, and we urge public officials, religious leaders, and community members to continue speaking out against anti-Muslim hate and all forms of religious bigotry.”
CAIR recently said it has documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship in May, June, and July to date. The 17 incidents represent 51 percent of the previous year’s total and a 183 percent increase over the same three-month period last year, during which CAIR documented six such incidents.
The incidents included a terroristic attack on a mosque, threats of violence, arson, acts of intimidation, and opposition to Islamic places of worship on the basis of religion.
Earlier this week, CAIR welcomed a statement by the Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe supporting the Muslim community’s right to build the mosque in the north valley of Albuquerque and condemning rising Islamophobia.
CAIR previously welcomed a decision by New Mexico’s Bernalillo County Planning Commission to reject an appeal and allow construction of a planned Islamic center and mosque in Albuquerque’s North Valley to move forward after months of opposition that included anti-Muslim rhetoric and hostility directed at the project.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Approval of Planned New Mexico Mosque Targeted by Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
CAIR’s 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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]