(BALTIMORE, MD, 7/10/2022) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for vandalism and arson targeting several Maryland churches.
Officials in that state’s Montgomery County said the incidents took place at three churches of different denominations a short distance away from each other in Bethesda, Md.
SEE: Officials Investigate Vandalism, Fires At Maryland Churches
“Because houses of worship were targeted, and because of the increase in bias-motivated incidents impacting faith and minority communities, we urge law enforcement authorities to investigate the possibility of a bias motive for these disturbing incidents,” said CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry.
Chaudry noted that last month, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism and possible arson targeting a Catholic church in Reston, Va., as a hate crime. CAIR’s New York chapter also condemned threatening graffiti that was scrawled on an Upper West Side church’s door.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
She added that the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Asian hate, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, white supremacy and all other forms of bigotry.
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 Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com,410-971-6062