(NEW YORK, NY, 9/27/07) – The New York chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), in conjunction with the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, yesterday hosted a presentation on hate crimes held at Dawood Masjid in Brooklyn.
The presentation provided community members with a plan of action to effectively respond in hate and bias-motivated cases.
“We urge community members to contact law enforcement in the event of a possible hate crime,” said Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, who also urged Islamic institutions to increase security by using steps outlined in CAIR’s “Muslim Community Safety Kit."
CAIR chapters nationwide experienced a 9.2 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes received in 2006 from the previous year.
SEE: Presumption of Guilt: The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States 2007
CAIR-NY will organize hate crime discussion sessions throughout New York. Mosques and Islamic centers interested in scheduling similar presentations should e-mail: [email protected]
CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, (212) 870-2002, [email protected]; CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, [email protected]