Muslim civil rights group calls for stepped-up police protection for imam and local Muslim community
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today 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.
[NOTE: Earlier today, 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 also called for stepped-up police protection for the imam and the Muslim community.
According to the imam, local media reports and a statement posted by the Utah Islamic Center on social media, the incident occurred yesterday evening in Sandy, Utah. Authorities are searching for a suspect who followed the imam when he left his home and allegedly fired eight shots at his SUV. He was not injured in the alleged attack.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“Any act of violence targeting a religious leader or faith community is deeply alarming. We hope the offer of a reward will lead to the arrest and conviction of the alleged perpetrator. Only then can the community be assured that a similar attack will not occur.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we urge local police to step up protection for the imam and for the Muslim community, which is currently taking part in special prayers and activities related to the month-long fast of Ramadan.”
CAIR also called on community leaders and public officials to reaffirm their commitment to religious freedom and encouraged anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement authorities.
Last year, CAIR welcomed investigations by the FBI and local police into a reported incident of pro-genocide vandalism targeting a mosque in Utah.
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.
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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]