In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “O God, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man, and resurrect me in the company of the poor.” His wife Aisha asked him why he had said this, and he replied: “Because they will enter Paradise forty years before the rich. Do not turn away a poor man, Aisha, even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you, Aisha, God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.” Al-Tirmidhi
Breaking: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Charges for Maine Man Accused of Plot to Bomb Chicago Mosques | CAIR-SFBA Welcomes Support for Muslim Crossing Guard Harassed by Anti-Mask Protesters | CAIR-MA Condemns Racist, Antisemitic Flyers
Prosecutors told a federal court judge yesterday that the man, who was arrested on Feb. 11 for possession of explosives, planned to carry out bombings at two mosques in Chicago. The man also reportedly planned to bomb a synagogue and kill more people until being shot by police. So far, he has been charged with one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.
An FBI special agent told the court that metal items packed inside the devices were meant to increase the shrapnel expelled during an explosion.
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“This disturbing case highlights the real threat posed by anti-Muslim bigotry, antisemitism and other forms of hate. We thank law enforcement authorities for stopping this alleged terrorist plot. We urge state and federal prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges in this case, and we urge law enforcement agencies nationwide to crack down on bias-motivated crime.”
CAIR-SFBA Welcomes Community Support for Muslim Crossing Guard Harassed by Anti-Mask Protesters
Some 8-10 anti-mask protesters were shouting in front of students and targeted the Muslim crossing guard with statements like, “This is not the Taliban, this is America, take off your mask.”
In a statement to the community, Dana Eaton, Ed.D Superintendent, Brentwood Union School District, said in part:
“This type of hate speech has no place in our schools or in our community. I am devastated for our dedicated crossing guard who had to endure that speech this morning. I am very concerned that multiple students heard the same hate speech on their way to school and wanted to alert parents. We reported this incident to the Brentwood Police Department.
“I want to publicly apologize to both our crossing guard and any students that were impacted by what took place. Ron Nunn School has counseling available for any students who might need to speak with someone.”
Dozens of parents brought the crossing guard thank you cards, flowers and offered support.
Zahra Billoo, executive director of CAIR-SFBA, said:
“We thank the Brentwood Union School District’s leadership for their swift response to this hate incident. Continued awareness and education are key to ensuring that school staff are safe and able to do their jobs effectively. We welcome the support shown by the local community to the Muslim crossing guard as a clear indication that bigotry will not be tolerated or ignored.”
CAIR-Massachusetts Condemns Racist, Antisemitic Flyers Placed in Library Books
The flyers, discovered last week, were placed in books in Sawyer Library’s section on German history from 1933-45, the era of Nazism and the Holocaust. The flyers were designed to look like Confederate money, and depict Confederate flags, Stars of David and Bible passages. The library was previously targeted with similar flyers in 2018.
“We condemn this act of antisemitic and racism, and stand in solidarity with the students of Williams College,” said CAIR-Massachusetts Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud. “We hope the investigation of this incident will uncover the perpetrators and result in educational opportunities about systemic racism, antisemitism and white supremacy.”
Amatul-Wadud said she reached out to the college to offer our support and solidarity, and noted that Curry College, also in Massachusetts, had to switch to remote learning this week due to similar threats.
CAIR Condemns White Supremacist Vandalism of North Carolina Black Lives Matter Mural
A mural near Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., was defaced with hate graffiti of the Patriot Front white supremacist group, including “Better dead than red” and “Reject poison.” CAIR condemned the racist vandalism of the same mural last year.
“With growing white supremacist bigotry impacting minority communities nationwide, all Americans need to speak out against acts of racist hate,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “This type of hate incident shows how fearful racists are of a nation in which all people are treated with justice.”
CAIR Welcomes South Carolina Bill to Drop Confederate Memorial Day Holiday
“No one should be forced to celebrate a holiday honoring the traitors and white supremacists of the Confederacy,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We welcome this bill and all other initiatives to remove remnants of the Confederacy from our society.”
CAIR-Sacramento: Folsom Neighborhood Vandalized with Swastikas; Police Investigating ‘Acts of Hatred’
“We strongly condemn the hateful antisemitic and neo-Nazi campaign in Folsom,” Basim Elkarra, executive director of CAIR Sacramento Valley, said in a prepared statement. “We must come together to condemn the rising tide of hate, antisemitism and intolerance.”
CAIR: Local NAACP Leader Urges Removal of Confederate Statue Outside Courthouse in Robeson County
The NAACP and the Council on American-Islamic Relations are urging commissioners to vote on removing the monument.