The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight demanded that politicians end their “campaign of hate” targeting American Muslims after today’s deadly shooting attack targeting a San Diego mosque.
SEE: Teenage gunmen open fire on San Diego mosque, killing 3 men and then themselves – Associated Press
Law enforcement authorities reportedly identified Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, as the suspects in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and “are examining possible anti-Islamic writings found in the car where police found the dead suspects.”
According to the New York Times: “Investigators recovered anti-Islamic writing in the car, according to two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter who were not authorized to share details publicly. Before the shooting, one of the two suspects took a firearm from his parents’ house and left a suicide note, the officials said. The words ‘hate speech’ were written on one of the firearms used in the attack.”
Earlier today, CAIR and its San Diego office (CAIR-San Diego) condemned the attack and said CAIR-San Diego representatives are on the scene monitoring developments.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We are deeply disturbed, but not at all surprised, to learn that those who attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego were reportedly motivated by anti-Muslim hate.
“Hate against American Muslims is completely out of control. Numerous politicians have spent the past year claiming that all ‘mainstream Muslims’ should be destroyed, that American mosques and elementary schools should be shut down, and that American Muslims should be expelled from our nation. Just last week, House Republicans held a congressional hearing to fan the flames of hate against American Muslims, their houses of worship and even Muslim school children.
“Time and time again, we have seen that hate speech like this can lead to hate crimes. The mass shooters who massacred families at the Christchurch mosques in New Zealand and worshipers at a mosque in Quebec all embraced the rhetoric of prominent anti-Muslim extremists.
“A deadly attack on an American mosque was as predictable as it is unacceptable. Anti-Muslim hatred is one of the last acceptable forms of bigotry in American society, and it is long past time for the tolerance of this hate to end.”
Also today, CAIR’s Texas chapter (CAIR-TX) joined with a number of Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to the hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by some Texas politicians.
Last week, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR encourages community members facing bias or hate incidents to report them to law enforcement and to CAIR.
Report an incident to CAIR: https://www.cair.com/report/
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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, tnizam@cair.com 760-201-7626