(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/6/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed charges brought against a 19-year-old man and a juvenile who allegedly communicated a threat targeting the Islamic Center of Charlotte in North Carolina last month. Both suspects live in the Spartanburg, S.C., area.
SEE: 2 from South Carolina Made Threatening Calls to Charlotte Mosque, Police Say
CMPD: Two Suspects Charged with Making Threatening Calls to Charlotte Islamic Center
Officials with the Islamic Center of Charlotte said a caller used obscenities and anti-Islam and anti-Arab statements, and reportedly said, “I’ll blow you worse than 9/11.”
CAIR called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the alleged threat as a hate crime.
“We welcome the charges in this disturbing case and hope that if the suspects are convicted, they will be given an opportunity learn about the American Muslim community and about why threats to any house of worship are unacceptable,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He noted that CAIR has recently responded to a number of attacks on mosques in other states.
Video: CAIR-MN Director Jaylani Hussein Says Muslim Community Feeling Overwhelmed by Mosque Attacks
CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Vandalism Targeting Oregon Mosque
CAIR is urging the local Muslim community and Islamic institutions nationwide to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.”
Last year, CAIR released a report, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” documenting more than 6,720 complaints to CAIR offices nationwide involving a range of issues including immigration and travel, workplace discrimination, denial of public accommodations, law enforcement and government overreach, hate and bias incidents, incarceree rights, school incidents, anti-BDS/free speech, among other reported issues.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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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