The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned reported shooting attacks on a Hindu temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.
The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was reportedly targeted by gunfire several nights in June, with bullets hitting the temple, including the dome arches and a second-story window. Utah law enforcement officials say they found 20 to 30 shell casings.
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We condemn these allegedly bias-motivated attacks on a house of worship and express our solidarity with members of the Hindu community in Utah and nationwide as they are targeted by hate. All minority communities are unfortunately being forced to deal with the rising level of bigotry and division we are witnessing throughout our nation.”
He noted that CAIR has previously condemned hate attacks on Hindu houses of worship in other states, including California and New York.
Hooper said CAIR is urging community and mosque leaders to use advice offered in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
Yesterday, CAIR condemned the reported establishment of a segregated white supremacist community in Arkansas from which “Jews and non-whites are explicitly banned.”
CAIR has repeatedly condemned white supremacist, antisemitic and racist activity nationwide, and has called on states to ban racial covenants in housing.
Washington, D.C., based 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.
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CONTACT: 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