The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the German Muslim community after two mosques in the city of Hannover were targeted graffiti apparently in support of Israeli military, which carried out a genocide in Gaza.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“Hate vandalism of mosques, or any house of worship, is a cowardly tactic meant to spread fear, hatred and division. It must be condemned unequivocally. We call on German authorities to conduct a full, impartial investigation; to bring the perpetrators to justice; and to ensure enhanced protection for Muslim communities.
“We also urge leaders and communities around the world to speak out against Islamophobia and all other formas of bigotry, especially when it tries to cloak itself in political slogans. A sacred place of worship is no place for hateful graffiti in support of genocide.”
Last month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Ireland after two men were arrested for an alleged terrorist plot by a right-wing group to attack Galway Mosque.
CAIR similarly expressed solidarity with the Netherlands Muslim community after a violent threat and hate incidents targeting a mosque.
Earlier this year, CAIR said that Islamophobia is “spinning out of control” in Europe after a Muslim woman was murdered in Germany and a mosque was burned during anti-immigrant riots in Spain.
CAIR also condemned the attempted arson of a Muslim prayer room in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France.
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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