(BIRMINGHAM, AL, 8/1/17) — The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama) today called the McDonald’s fast food chain to identify and fire the staff who inserted pieces of bacon into 14 chicken sandwiches ordered by a Muslim family yesterday at a franchise in Decatur, Ala. CAIR-Alabama also called on the fast food chain to preserve and provide surveillance video of the incident.
Video: Alabama Muslim Customer Finds Bacon Pieces in 14 McDonald’s Chicken Sandwiches
“Based on the evidence in this incident, as well as the unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide, we believe this was an intentional act of religious and ethnic bigotry,” said CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed. “McDonald’s should investigate this incident, identify and terminate the employees responsible, and take proactive steps to satisfy this American family’s concerns, starting with an apology.”
CAIR-Alabama says the small size of the pieces of bacon inserted in each sandwich points to an intentional act by at least one McDonald’s employee. The Muslim civil rights organization noted that anti-Muslim bigots often use pigs or pork products to intentionally offend Muslims because of the Islamic prohibition on consuming pork products.
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Last month, CAIR-Alabama called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a Muslim family of Middle Eastern heritage in that state as a possible hate crime.
Video: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Vandalism Targeting Alabama Muslim Family
The Washington-based civil rights group said it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in hate incidents targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump.
Because of that spike in hate crimes, CAIR recently launched an app to share critical “know your rights” information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app
Community members may also report any bias incidents to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed, 334-224-2196, [email protected]; CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]