The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today condemned the reported anti-Muslim vandalism targeting a longtime Berkeley clinic, Berkeley Community Physical Therapy, on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
According to reports, vandals scrawled slurs across the clinic’s windows, including “F— Islam.” This incident follows repeated defacements of the clinic’s pro-peace posters since the onset of the Israeli genocide in Gaza in 2023, underscoring an escalating climate of hate toward Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim.
SEE: Berkeley business defaced with anti-Muslim graffiti on first day of Ramadan
“It is unconscionable that a community member would be targeted with such vile, hateful vandalism, particularly as Muslims worldwide observe the sacred month of Ramadan,” said CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo. “All residents of Berkeley—and across the Bay Area—deserve to feel safe, supported, and free from intimidation. We call on local leaders and law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this incident as a hate crime and to hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
CAIR-SFBA calls on:
- Local and State Officials to unequivocally condemn all forms of hate, including anti-Muslim incidents, and to demonstrate equal commitment to combatting Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Black racism, and every other manifestation of bigotry.
- Community Solidarity – We encourage all community members to join in standing against hate and discrimination, in words and in action, including by attending the vigil against hate at 6:30pm tonight at the South Berkeley Senior Center at 2939 Ellis Street.
- Law Enforcement to treat this case as a serious hate crime and conduct a swift, transparent investigation, ensuring that the victim’s rights and safety are prioritized.
In light of the recent uptick in anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and other hateful acts, CAIR-SFBA reaffirms its commitment to advocating on behalf of community members facing discrimination and harassment.
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
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-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com