The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation of a reported incident of anti-Muslim harassment that took place outside the Islamic Cultural Center of New York (ICCNY) mosque in Stamford, Connecticut, on the evening of August 9.
CAIR-CT is calling on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime and to increase patrols around local mosques to ensure the safety of worshipers, particularly as Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks have risen sharply nationwide.
According to a video recording of the incident, a man driving a white car stopped in front of the mosque as families with children were exiting. He shouted a series of Islamophobic insults, including insults attacking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The man also reportedly shouted: “Get the f**k out of here. Fifty-six Muslim countries in the world. Go pick one. Why do you come to a Catholic country? United States is a Christian country.”
“This was a deliberate and targeted verbal assault meant to intimidate Muslim families, including children, as they peacefully left their house of worship,” said Farhan Memon, CAIR-CT Chairman. “We call on law enforcement authorities to take this incident seriously and to send the message that hate and bias-motivated harassment have no place in Connecticut.”
Memon 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.
CAIR-CT is also urging community members to remain vigilant and to report any bias-related incidents to both law enforcement and CAIR-CT through our website at: https://cair-ct.com/
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2025 Civil Rights Report “Unconstitutional Crackdowns,” which reveals that Islamophobia continues to be at an all-time high across the country. CAIR said viewpoint discrimination against those speaking out against genocide and apartheid was a key factor in many cases.
CAIR-CT is the local chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: Farhan Memon, Chairman 203-517-6526 (cell) or fmemon@cair.com