(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/1/18) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Muslim communities nationwide to step up security measures in the wake of recent hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR issued its call following the killings of two African-Americans at a grocery store in Kentucky, the nationwide mail bomb campaign targeting political opponents of Donald Trump and the massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
“Because of the recent hate incidents targeting minority communities nationwide close to the midterm election, we urge local Muslim leaders and mosque officials to implement increased security measures,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.
CAIR is urging community leaders to:
* Request extra police patrols in the area of Islamic institutions.
* Consider hiring security officers authorized to carry firearms. NOTE: Many police departments allow the hiring of off-duty officers.
* Ask local law enforcement authorities to conduct an assessment of the security needs of mosques, Islamic schools and other institutions.
The Washington-based civil rights organization is also urging 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.
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.
Preliminary data for 2018 indicate that there have been 927 hate incidents targeting American Muslims.
SEE: CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by going to: https://www.cair.com/report
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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 Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Naaz Modan, 202-748-4319, nmodan@cair.com
