CAIR Update: Woman Held for Evaluation after Altercation at Rolling Ridge Elementary
(WASHINGTON, D.C, 5/19/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged bias-motivated assault on Muslim women waiting to pick up their children after school in northern Virginia
Family members told CAIR that a woman attacked the Muslim women – both of whom wear Islamic head scarves (hijab) — this afternoon outside Rolling Ridge Elementary in Sterling, Va., reportedly pushing and spitting on one and slapping another in the face while making threatening statements and references to religion. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the alleged assault. (Case #: S0210007951)
Following the incident, the school’s principal sent the following statement to parents:
“I wanted to make you aware of an incident that occurred outside our school during dismissal today. An incident involving parents may have been observed by students. The safety and security of all students, parents and staff is our top priority at Rolling Ridge. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, so I cannot comment further. I would like to assure families that the Safety and Security Department and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will have an increased presence on our campus for the remainder of the week. Additionally, our school counseling team is available to speak to any students who may have witnessed the incident and be troubled by it. Please know that our goal at Rolling Ridge Elementary is to foster a culture of respect, kindness and caring among our students and their families.”
“Based on the reported violent actions and religious references of the alleged attacker, we urged law enforcement authorities to investigate this disturbing incident as a possible hate crime and to bring appropriate charges,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We thank school officials for their swift response to this alleged assault.”
He noted that earlier this month, CAIR urged Washington, D.C., area mosques to step up security measures after an attempted stabbing attack at the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va.
Video: CAIR Urges DC-Area Mosques to Step Up Security for End of Ramadan After Attempted Stabbing
CAIR’s recent 2021 civil rights report documented 241 hate and bias incidents which included physical violence, harassment, and vandalism among other reported issues.
SEE: CAIR 2021 Civil Rights Report
https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CAIRReport.pdf
Video: California City Partners with CAIR-SFBA on Bystander Intervention Training
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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 Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com