Category Archives: News

CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Resignation of Islamophobic Pennsylvania Official

CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Resignation of Islamophobic Pennsylvania Official

(PITTSBURGH, PA, 7/15/19) – The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the resignation of Robinson Township Republican Committee Chairman Jack Cairns over vitriolic and violent Islamophobic Facebook posts about Muslims.

SEE: Robinson Township Republican Committee chair resigns over Islamophobic Facebook posts
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/07/12/Robinson-Township-Republican-Committee-chair-resigns-over-Islamophobic-Facebook-posts/stories/201907120152

Last Friday, CAIR-Pittsburgh called for Cairns’ resignation after releasing screenshots of his Islamophobic posts.

SEE: CAIR-Pittsburgh Calls for Resignation of Pennsylvania GOP Official Over Violently Islamophobic Facebook Posts
https://www.cair.com/cair_pittsburgh_calls_for_resignation_of_pennsylvania_gop_official_over_violently_islamophobic_facebook_posts

ISLAMOPHOBIC POSTS:
https://tinyurl.com/GOPOfficialPosts

“We welcome this resignation and hope it serves as a clear statement to all that hatred and bigotry will not be tolerated,” said CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania. “We look forward to continuing to educate and serve the community, fight bigotry and dispel hateful stereotypes of Muslims and Islam.”

Lasania also thanked the Republican Committee of Allegheny County for condemning the posts and affirming its commitment to the growth and prosperity of all residents regardless of religion.

SEE: Statement on CAIR Pittsburgh Call for Resignation of Mr. Jack Cairns
http://www.rcac.net/statement-on-cair-pittsburgh-call-for-resignation-of-mr-jack-cairns/

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization 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 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-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

RCAC announces resignation of Islamophobic Republican Committee Chair Jack Cairns

RCAC announced the resignation of Jack Cairns, Committee Chair of RCAC, on their website: 

http://www.rcac.net/statement-on-cair-pittsburgh-call-for-resignation-of-mr-jack-cairns/

Date: 7/12/2019

Statement on CAIR Pittsburgh Call for Resignation of Mr. Jack Cairns

Today, we were made aware of offensive, anti-Muslim, Facebook posts made by a member of our Robinson Township Republican Committee, Jack Cairns. The RCAC in no way endorses the comments or views of Mr. Cairns, and we condemn, in the strongest terms possible, these hateful posts.

The mission of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County is to foster the growth and prosperity of all residents of Allegheny County regardless of their race, religion, or creed.

Mr. Cairns has resigned, effective immediately, from his membership within the Robinson Township Republican Committee and the Republican Committee of Allegheny County.

Also please see Post Gazette article:

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/07/12/Robinson-Township-Republican-Committee-chair-resigns-over-Islamophobic-Facebook-posts/stories/201907120152

Press Release: CAIR-Pittsburgh Calls for Resignation of Pennsylvania GOP Official Over Violently Islamophobic Facebook Posts

CAIR-Pittsburgh Calls for Resignation of Pennsylvania GOP Official Over Violently Islamophobic Facebook Posts

(PITTSBURGH, PA, 7/12/19) – The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim and civil rights advocacy organization, today called for the resignation of Robinson Township Republican Committee Chairman Jack Cairns over a slew of violently Islamophobic and hate-filled posts about Muslims.

Posts by Cairns include a photo of the Islamic holy city of Mecca with the caption, “One nuke! Bye bye,” a video of a woman shooting targets with the comment, “Too bad it wasn’t Muslims she was shooting!” a photo of a dog defecating on the Quran with the text, “F*ck Islam, F*ck the Qur’an, F*ck Muhammad, F*ck Allah,” and one that simply states, “Hate Muslims!”

ISLAMOPHOBIC POSTS:

https://tinyurl.com/GOPOfficialPosts

“Mr. Cairns has essentially called for violence, and even genocide, against an entire religious minority community,” said CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania. “That this individual is representing the Republican Party should worry not only citizens in Robinson Township, but also the entire GOP establishment.”

Lasania also called on the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania and fellow Robinson Township Republican Committee members Dimitrios Pantzoulas, Nevin Robb and Stacy Baltzell to disavow Cairns and repudiate his posts.

In February, CAIR-Pittsburgh called for and welcomed the resignation of a Plum Borough School Board member over an anti-Muslim Facebook post.

SEE: CAIR-Pittsburgh Joins NAACP in Calling for Resignation of School Official Over Anti-Muslim Post

https://www.cair.com/cair_pittsburgh_joins_naacp_in_calling_for_resignation_of_school_official_over_anti_muslim_post

CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Resignation of School Official Over Anti-Muslim Post

https://www.cair.com/cair_pittsburgh_welcomes_resignation_of_school_official_over_anti_muslim_post

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization 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 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted

http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html

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-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

Help for Chartiers Valley Assault Victim in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Muslim Community and the Pittsburgh chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) started raising funds to cover victim’s current and future medical expenses and to pay for the services of an attorney as the family is filing charges against the perpetrator. This crowd funding page has been setup as part of these efforts. Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will only be used for the victim’s welfare. If there are any funds remaining after taking care of her medical needs, those funds will be placed into an educational savings account to help her with college expenses.

To help the victim, please visit this page:

BREAKING: Muslim Student attacked in Pittsburgh High School

CAIR-Pittsburgh Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslim Student 

(PITTSBURGH, PA,12/17/18) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for an attack on a Muslim student high school who wears an Islamic head scarf, or hijab. 

CAIR-Pittsburgh is offering legal support to the student’s family after she was shown on a video posted online being attacked in the bathroom of Chartiers Valley High School. The Muslim student was treated later for a concussion and severe bruising. Criminal charges are pending.

Police: Criminal charges pending in altercation at Chartiers Valley High School
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/17/Chartiers-Valley-High-School-bathroom-fight-social-media-video-investigation-Collier-police/stories/201812170080
Video of Attack
https://www.facebook.com/alexis.work.79/videos/157771828520749/
Charges Pending But No Hate Crime In Chartiers Valley Bathroom Fight
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14416003-74/charges-pending-but-no-hate-crime-in-chartiers-valley-bathroom-fight

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization 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 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html 

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-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com 

Pittsburgh Community protest Trump’s visit post Tree of Life tragedy

CAIR Pittsburgh board and staff were present on Tuesday, October 30th to partake in a protest hosted by Bend The Arc. All present were protesting against Trump’s visit and were demanding him and the Republican Party to fully denounce white nationalism, stop targeting and endangering all minorities, cease assault on immigrants and refugees, and to commit to compassionate, democratic policies that recognize the dignity of all of us.

 

CAIR Asks Muslim Communities to Step Up Security Measures in Wake of Hate Incidents Nationwide

(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.
The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices
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

BREAKING: CAIR Pittsburgh Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Deadly Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack

CAIR Pittsburgh Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Deadly Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack
Muslim civil rights group offers houses of worship booklet outlining stepped-up security measures.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/27/18) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and nationwide following a deadly attack on a synagogue in that city.

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In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania said:

“We condemn this heinous and cowardly attack on a house of worship, offer heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of all those who were killed or injured and express our solidarity with the Jewish community during this time of shock and grief.”

CAIR-Pittsburgh Chapter President Safdar Khwaja added:

“This barbaric attack on our neighbors, with whom we share our city and have visited and dialogued multiple times, is deeply disturbing and horrifying. Such an act of terror affects all of us. We offer our full support and assistance in the aftermath of this tragedy, and our doors are open at all times to our neighbors. This attack is on American values and principles of humanity, and we all need to come together to restore civilized values to our society. We urge law enforcement authorities to bring to justice all those responsible or complicit in this act of terror.”

CAIR-Philadelphia Chapter Executive Director Jacob Bender added:  

“This hate crime did not happen in a vacuum, but in a climate of bigotry and calls to violence endorsed by the president of the United States. We take this opportunity to remind the president that words matter and have consequences in the real world. The demonization inherent in today’s politics must be brought to an immediate end.”

The Washington-based civil rights organization is urging all 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 advice in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission.

The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices

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-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Philadelphia Executive Director, 917 660 3805,  jbender@cair.com

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CAIR Pittsburgh Chapter,
(Council on American-Islamic Relations)
801 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. 
Phone: 412 606 3601

cair.pittsburgh@gmail.com; info@pittsburgh.cair.com

http://pa.cair.com/pitt

 
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
 
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger las libertades civiles, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
 
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