The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today 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.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We stand in solidarity with the Irish Muslim community and all people of conscience in Ireland who reject hatred and violence. This disturbing alleged plot targeting a house of worship is yet another reminder of the growing threat posed by anti-Muslim hate. We urge Irish authorities to ensure the safety of all religious communities and to hold accountable anyone responsible for planning or promoting such hateful acts.”
Earlier this week, CAIR similarly expressed solidarity with the Netherlands Muslim community after a violent threat and hate incidents targeting a mosque.
Last week, CAIR condemned French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet’s Islamophobic remarks targeting visitors to that nation’s legislative body wearing Islamic head scarves, or hijab.
Last month, CAIR welcomed the government of Switzerland’s rejection of a ban on hijab, or Islamic headscarves, in schools.
CAIR also called on Portugal’s parliament to reject an Islamophobic bill that would ban the wearing of the face veil.
In August, CAIR condemned as ‘discriminatory and authoritarian’ a proposal announced by Austria’s integration minister to ban Islamic head scarves, or hijab, for girls under the age of 14.
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.
In February, CAIR called on French lawmakers to reject proposed legislation that would ban the wearing of religiously-mandated attire in sports.
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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