(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 8/27/2020) — The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the arson attack on the Chabad Jewish Center on the University of Delaware campus.
According to the UD Campus Police, the Newark Police Department, and the Delaware State Fire Marshal, the fire, which took place late Tuesday night, August 25, has been officially ruled arson and caused approximately $75,000 in damage.
While authorities are investigating to determine whether the attack on the Chabad Jewish Center was a hate crime, CAIR-Philadelphia reiterates its total rejection and condemnation of violence, especially directed against houses of worship.
The Islamic Society of Delaware, in an open letter to the Delaware Jewish community, wrote: “On behalf of the Muslim community of Delaware and the Islamic Society of Delaware, we want to reach out to you and other members of the Jewish community to express our shock and sorrow in light of the incident at the UD Chabad Center. We strongly condemn this act of violence and hope that the culprits are apprehended soon. Please know that we stand with you in this difficult time. And let us know if we can do anything to help rebuild the center.”
Faizal Chaudhury, the Delaware representative for CAIR-Philadelphia, said that: “Hate and bigotry has no place anywhere, and that is especially true here in Delaware. We are a community that stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in times of need and we are here to help our Jewish brothers/sisters in faith in any way that we can.”
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-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 917-660-3805 (mobile), jbender@cair.com
