The Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Sacramento), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate as a possible hate crime an incident in which a pig’s head was reportedly left at a family’s front door.
Surveillance video shows a man in a hoodie walking up to the door on Sunday. An individual in the home says he is Pacific Islander from Fiji but “could be mistaken for Middle Eastern.” Local police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
SEE: Natomas family questions why severed pig head was left at their front door
[NOTE: Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork products to deliberately offend Muslim sensibilities.]
“Because the victim in this case says he could be mistaken for someone of Middle Eastern heritage, and because pigs and pork are often used to harass Muslims, we urge state and local law enforcement authorities to join in the hate crime investigation by local police,” said CAIR-Sacramento Interim Executive Director Reshad Noorzay.
He noted that from January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Sacramento Interim Executive Director Reshad Noorzay, 916-610-5076, rnoorzay@cair.com; CAIR-Sacramento Communications & Outreach Coordinator Anes Mokeddem, 916.610.5079, amokeddem@cair.com; Layli Shirani, CAIR-SV/CC Managing Attorney, Civil Rights (916) 248-4926 ext. 102, lShirani@cair.com