(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/16/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its Pittsburgh chapter today welcomed the conviction of Robert Bowers, the man who attacked a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, killing 11 congregants in an act of antisemitic terror.
Bowers was convicted on 63 criminal counts, including hate crimes. Jurors must now decide whether he should be executed or sentenced to life in prison without parole.
SEE: Pittsburgh synagogue gunman is found guilty in the deadliest attack on Jewish people in US history
https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-ba843b83bf674d2603a07add574f13ea
In a statement, CAIR Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said:
“We welcome the guilty verdict delivered today with a heavy mix of emotions – relief, sorrow, and determination. We acknowledge the pain and loss endured by the victims’ families, and we extend our deepest sympathies and unwavering support to the entire Jewish community. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and we stand united against hatred and bigotry. Such acts of violence will not go unanswered, and the bonds of our community will grow stronger in the face of adversity.”
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“The Tree of Life synagogue shooter, who reportedly cited the local Jewish community’s support for Muslim refugees as part of the reason for his massacre, is a living, breathing example of the dangerous intersection between antisemitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry. We welcome the guilty finding and we hope the court heavily considers the wishes of the victims and survivors in determining what sentence to impose. Violent extremists like Robert Bowers should know that, God willing, they will be held accountable for their crimes in this life and the next.”
He noted that at the time of the attack, CAIR-Pittsburgh President Safdar Khwaja said in part: “This barbaric attack at a house of worship on our neighbors, with whom we share our city and have visited and dialogued multiple times, is deeply disturbing and horrifying. Such an act of terror effects all of us…”
Mitchell said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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 Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed, 412-606-3601 cmohamed@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com