(CHICAGO, IL, 9/28/2022) – The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the alleged Islamophobic harassment of a Loyola University student on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line.
That student reported that while on her way to class Sept. 16, she was verbally harassed by another passenger because of her religious identity and attire. The alleged harasser reportedly told the student, “You wouldn’t want to go home killed.” Another passenger came to her defense, but the alleged harasser continued making Islamophobic comments. The conductor eventually kicked the alleged harasser off the Red Line after hearing the harassment take place.
SEE: Loyola Muslim Student Harassed for Religious Clothing on the Red Line
“We condemn this alleged act of anti-Muslim harassment and thank those who came to the assistance of the student reportedly target by Islamophobic bigotry,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab. “Every American, whatever their faith or background, should be able to go about their daily activities without fear of harassment or potential violence.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging Islamophobia, antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Rehab added that earlier this year, CAIR issued a report on the civil rights of American Muslims, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” detailing more than 6,700 civil rights complaints the Washington, D.C., based group received in the past year.
SEE: CAIR Issues New Report Detailing 6,700+ Civil Rights Complaints, Highest Number Ever Recorded
CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, [email protected]