(PHOENIX, AZ, 12/10/2021) – The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona) today welcomed the arrest of the suspected perpetrator of a December 8th arson attack in which Islamic religious materials, including the Quran, were burned in an interfaith prayer room at Arizona State University.
This morning, Arizona State University Police said they arrested Wesley Waggoner at 8 p.m. last night after he was reportedly doing more damage to the library in which the interfaith prayer room is located. Police connected Waggoner to the December 8th vandalism after reviewing prior surveillance footage. Yesterday, CAIR-Arizona called on law enforcement to launch a hate crime investigation into the December 8th vandalism.
SEE: Arrest made after Quran allegedly destroyed at ASU’s Hayden Library
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Azza Abuseif said:
“We welcome the arrest of the suspected perpetrator of this heinous attack. We urge law enforcement to pursue hate crime charges against him. Violent Islamophobia poses a threat to Muslim communities nationwide, and law enforcement has a responsibility to take action.”
She noted that earlier today, CAIR called on Congress to expel Arizona Republican Representative Paul Gosar after he called for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Islam.
SEE: CAIR Says Arizona’s Rep. Paul Gosar Should Be Expelled from Congress After He Calls for Destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
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-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, [email protected], 602-349-1573;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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]