CAIR Asks FBI To Probe Apparent Bias Attack On NY Muslim

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the FBI to investigate an apparently bias-motivated assault on a Queens man of Afghan heritage who was stabbed repeatedly outside a mosque by an attacker shouting anti-Muslim comments. A friend of the victim reported that the alleged attacker said "he doesn't like Muslims."

SEE: Attacker Screamed Anti-Muslim Rant (NY Daily News) http://tinyurl.com/aqob3v4

"The FBI should add its resources to the investigation of this apparent hate crime, and state and national leaders should address the rising level of anti-Muslim bigotry that inevitably results in such disturbing incidents," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Muneer Awad.

[ OKLAHOMA MEDIA ADVISORY: On Monday, November 19, representatives of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will meet a Muslim Air force veteran who had been barred from returning to Oklahoma when he finally arrives at Will Rogers World Airport. SEE: Oklahoma Muslim on No-Fly List to Return to U.S. - http://tinyurl.com/bl3necp]

In October, CAIR's Washington state chapter (CAIR-WA) called on the FBI to investigate an apparent anti-Muslim hate attack on a Sikh taxi driver in that state. The driver was allegedly attacked by a man shouting anti-Muslim slurs after he commented on the cabbie's turban. [NOTE: Sikh men who wear beards and turbans as part of their faith are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.]

SEE: CAIR-WA Seeks FBI Probe of Anti-Muslim Attack on Sikh Cabbie http://tinyurl.com/bjsdrlm

Also last month, CAIR welcomed federal hate crime charges filed against an Indiana man who allegedly torched an Ohio mosque, causing more than $1 million in damage.

SEE: CAIR Welcomes Federal Hate Crime Charges for Ohio Mosque Arson http://tinyurl.com/b5chy5q

Other American Muslim institutions have been targeted during a recent spike in hate incidents. In September, CAIR called on the FBI to investigate hate vandalism at mosques in Virginia and New York. In August, CAIR asked authorities to investigate a suspicious fire at a mosque in Minnesota.

CAIR: Burned Mosque to be Constructed Inside Joplin City Limits http://tinyurl.com/9hqfl2bCAIR Report: Thirteen Days in Ramadan 2012 http://www.cair.com/portals/0/pdf/Ramadan2012incidents.pdfCAIR: Anti-Muslim Attacks Continue http://www.salon.com/2012/10/05/anti_muslim_attacks_continue

CAIR recently submitted written testimony for a Senate hearing on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism.

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