The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the decision by authorities in New Mexico to file a hate crime charge for an alleged spitting and battery attack on a Muslim woman in Albuquerque’s Old Town district.
According to reports, a local man has been charged in connection with the incident, which reportedly involved the suspect spitting on and assaulting a Muslim mother. During the incident, the Muslim woman was reportedly asked, “Are you Christian?,” and was told she would “burn in Hell.”
CAIR said the attack reflects a disturbing pattern of bias-motivated harassment targeting Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“We welcome the decision to pursue a hate crime charge in this disturbing case and commend law enforcement for addressing the apparent bias motivation behind the attack. No one should be targeted, harassed, or assaulted because of their faith or appearance.
“This alleged act of hatred is part of a broader rise in anti-Muslim incidents nationwide. It is essential that authorities respond swiftly and decisively to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
“We urge community leaders and public officials to continue speaking out against bigotry in all its forms and to work proactively to ensure the safety and dignity of members of all minority communities.”
CAIR noted that Muslim women, particularly those who wear religious attire such as the hijab, are often disproportionately targeted in bias-motivated incidents.
Yesterday, CAIR’s Arizona chapter called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a threatening letter sent to a mosque in Glendale, Arizona, as a possible hate crime.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate incident to report it to local authorities and civil rights organizations. GO TO: https://www.cair.com/report/
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
SEE: 2026 Civil Rights Report: The Right to be Different
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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