(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/3/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed hate crime charges for an apparently bias-motivated assault targeting a Muslim woman in Salt Lake County, Utah.
The woman said that as she and her son exited the TRAX train, a man across the street began screaming anti-Muslim statements. He then reportedly crossed the street and spat in the woman’s face. The man was arrested shortly after the incident. The Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill said hate crime enhancements are being brought against the perpetrator.
SEE: Utah man accused of hate crime for spitting on Muslim mother and son
Muslim woman recounts targeted assault that could be charged as hate crime (ksltv.com)
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison said:
“To harass and assault a woman with a seven-year-old child next to her on the basis of her faith is a truly heinous and despicable act. As anti-Muslim hate incidents continue to rise in the aftermath of the escalation of violence in Gaza, it is essential that law enforcement agencies take each incident seriously and we applaud them for doing so in this case.”
He noted that CAIR recorded nearly 800 complaints in the 20 days following Oct. 7.
SEE: CAIR Reports Sharp Increase in Complaints, Reported Bias Incidents Since 10/7
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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]