(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 6/26/2026) — The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a Muslim business owner’s vehicle in Lancaster County as a possible hate crime after the words “Pig Terrorist” were scratched on the car on June 6.
Surveillance footage captured an individual who may have information about the incident, and the business owner has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the person.
“This hateful act appears to have deliberately targeted a Muslim member of our community by invoking one of the oldest and most offensive anti-Muslim stereotypes,” said Ahmet Tekelioglu, Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia. “When someone is labeled a ‘terrorist’ because of their faith, it is more than simple vandalism. It is an act of intimidation that can create fear in an entire community. We urge law enforcement to investigate this incident as a possible hate crime, identify those responsible, and hold them fully accountable.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Ahmet Tekelioglu, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director, 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com.
