(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/10/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged houses of worship and human rights activists engaging in protests to take security precautions after a surge in racist, hateful and threatening rhetoric online, as well as inflammatory comments by political leaders.
CAIR is tracking hundreds of social media posts that have promoted racist and violent rhetoric in recent days, including posts declaring that Muslims and Palestinians are “barbarians” and “savages” and that Gaza should be “flattened” and turned into a “parking lot.” Others have explicitly targeted Muslims in the United States, arguing that “Muslims should have no place in America” and that they should “pack up and leave.” Antisemitic social media posts have also threatened the Jewish community.
Political leaders have also attacked pro-Palestinian protesters with blanket condemnations, falsely accusing thousands of peaceful protesters advocating for Palestinian human rights of supporting terrorism.
“Given the sudden rise in inflammatory and hateful rhetoric targeting Muslims, Jews, Palestinians and others, we urge houses of worship and protesters to take extra security precautions,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “We should carry on with our daily lives, our worship and our activism while also taking basic steps to protect ourselves from extremist voices who may want to turn their violent rhetoric into violent action.”
He said CAIR is urging religious institutions nationwide to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.” The advice in the booklet is applicable to institutions of all faiths.
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