In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Be of good cheer and be hopeful of that which will make you happy. By God, it is not poverty that I fear for you, rather what I fear for you is that worldly riches may be given to you as they were given to those who came before you, and you will compete for them with one another as they competed with one another, and you will be destroyed as they were destroyed.” Sahih Muslim
The Prophet (pbuh) also said:”If one of you looks at someone who has been given more wealth and physical beauty than he (or she) has, let that person then look at someone who has been given less.” Sahih Muslim
CAIR on AIR: CAIR-Chicago Response to Police Beating of Muslim Teen (Video)
Join us today at 3:00 p.m. ET for a discussion with CAIR-Chicago Trial Attorney Luis Segura on an incident of shocking police brutality against a 17-year-old Muslim and our Chicago chapter’s response. Also joining us today is CAIR-Washington Civil Rights Attorney Luis Segura to discuss an incident of discrimination targeting two Muslim men on Alaska Airlines and our Washington chapter’s response.
CAIR-Chicago: Arab American Teenager Beaten by Police Released to His Parents
CAIR Welcomes Federal Charges for Current, Former Louisville Police Officers in Breonna Taylor’s Killing
Those officers were charged with civil rights offenses, unlawful conspiracies, unconstitutional use of force and obstruction offenses.
In 2020, CAIR decried a decision by a grand jury in Kentucky not to charge any officer for Taylor’s killing.
“We hope this important action by the Justice Department is the first step toward securing some semblance of justice for Breonna Taylor’s family,” said CAIR-Kentucky Board Chair Salah Shakir.
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We commend the Justice Department for pursuing federal charges against the officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor. When local officials like Attorney General Cameron fail to conduct proper investigations into police shootings, the federal government should step in to ensure accountability.”
He noted that CAIR has repeatedly condemned police-involved killings targeting minority communities.
Video: CAIR-WA Files Lawsuit Against Alaska Airlines on Behalf of Muslims who Faced Discrimination
CAIR-WA: Two Muslim Americans Sue Alaska Airlines, Alleging Discrimination
Video: CAIR-Sacramento Event for Young Muslims to Share Art and Poetry
CAIR-NJ Condemns Alleged Bias-Motivated Attack Targeting Paterson Mosque
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today condemned an alleged bias-motivated attack targeting congregants at the Islamic Congregation of North Jersey, also known as Masjid Abu Bakr, in Paterson, N.J.
Worshippers were reportedly pelted with rocks while praying on Monday evening, making this the second alleged bias attack in eight months, according to mosque leaders and authorities.
At around 8:25 p.m., three young men came in through the front door while around 100 people were gathered for sunset prayer, said Burhan Uddin, a board member at the mosque. One held the door while the others threw rocks, he said. Two people were struck on the leg, but no one was injured, Uddin added.
The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office responded and has referred the matter to the county Prosecutor’s Office, which investigates bias crimes.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Houses of worship are intended to be places of spiritual refuge. Disturbing incidents like these rob them and their congregants of the tranquility that they are seeking.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a trend of New Jersey mosques installing bullet-proof windows and, as we’re seeing with Masjid Abu Bakr now, locking their doors during prayer. This is not conducive to our growth or development as a community.
“We continue to call on local officials to support community-based organizations as they seek to protect themselves through the hiring of private security.”
He urged mosques and other houses of worship and faith-based and advocacy organizations to take extra security precautions as outlined in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet.
The booklet may be viewed at: https://www.cair.com/mosque-and-community-safety/
Natyana Muhammad of Essex County posted a video on Twitter that shows the Chuck E. Cheese mascot high-fiving several children while ignoring her two-year old daughter, Safa, as she repeatedly rallied for the attention of the mascot and reached out for a high five.
“As you can see, he gives all of the (white) kids hi-5s & PURPOSELY ignored my black baby,” Muhammad wrote in her tweet. “When confronted, he ignored me as well. The manager, Angie Valasquez, made excuses for him.”
According to Muhammad, the onsite manager said, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”..
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“It’s really disheartening to see a toddler apparently being discriminated against in this manner. What should’ve been an enjoyable day clearly turned into something else.
“The mascot’s reported behavior is unacceptable, and so is Chuck E. Cheese’s response. ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’ is not an acknowledgement of what happened nor is it an apology. We call on the Chuck E. Cheese franchise to issue a public apology to Natanya and her daughter.”
CAIR Condemns Racist Harassment, Assault on Spanish-Speaking Customers at Colorado Gas Station
Aurora police are looking for a man suspected of dousing a group of people in gasoline and trying to set them on fire. The people were reportedly speaking Spanish, and the man reportedly told them they “don’t belong here” before following them to their car and spraying them with gasoline. The man allegedly tried to find a lighter to set them on fire before throwing a rock through the back window and stealing their keys.
Aurora police released a photo of the suspect and have asked anyone who recognizes him or his vehicle to call 303.627.1661 or email [email protected].
“This appalling attack reminds us of the serious danger posed by violent bigotry,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We urge law enforcement authorities to be thorough in their investigation and we stand in solidarity with the victims of this act of hate.”
CAIR Condemns Racist, Neo-Nazi Graffiti in North Dakota, North Carolina
A popular pedestrian tunnel in south Fargo was vandalized with graffiti promoting the neo-Nazi organization Patriot Front. Fargo police have said they will look into the vandalism.
A driveway in Raleigh’s Renaissance Park neighborhood was vandalized with graffiti that read “n****r lives don’t matter.” City of Raleigh crews came to remove the graffiti yesterday.
“We condemn all incidents of racist hate and urge communities nationwide to come together to repudiate the rising tide of white supremacy and other forms of bigotry,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.