• Video: CAIR Concerned About Islamophobic Statements of Donald Trump Appointees (PBS)
  
  
  • CAIR-WA: UW Muslim Student Suffers Concussion in Possible Hate-Crime Assault
    
    
  • CAIR: N.M. Muslim Shopper Wearing a Hijab Harassed By Woman at Grocery
    
    "Normally, we would issue a negative release calling for a hate crime probe, but because of the reaction of the store staff, I think it was appropriate to thank the staff because it sounds like they went above and beyond what is called for in these situations," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper.
    
    
• CAIR: Being Placed on Watch List Gives Armed Mosque Protest Organizer 'New Perspective' on Muslims
  
  Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for CAIR, was skeptical of Ritzheimer's overture, but told The Oregonian/OregonLive that any reconciliation could start with a meeting in a public place between Ritzheimer and the executive director of the council's Arizona branch, potentially to be followed by a visit to the Phoenix mosque. Ritzheimer said he gets it now.
  
  "There's Muslims that are American citizens that are also put on this list without due process and that's not right," he said. "I would gladly defend their rights as well."
  
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR-LA: Anti-Muslim, Pro-Trump Letters Sent to Southern California Mosques

(ANAHEIM, CA, 10/26/16) – The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for stepped-up police protection of local mosques after an anti-Muslim, hate-filled letter supporting President-elect Donald Trump was sent to the Islamic Center of Long Beach and the Islamic Center of Claremont.

Yesterday, CAIR's San Francisco Bay Area chapter called for similar police protection of mosques after the same letter was sent to Evergreen Islamic Center in San Jose, Calif.

Video: CAIR Seeks Protection of Mosques After Anti-Muslim, Pro-Trump Letter Sent to Islamic Center

The hate letter was addressed to the "Children of Satan." The writer of the letter called Muslims a "vile and filthy people" and called on them to "pack your bags and get out of dodge." It also said that President-elect Donald Trump is "going to cleanse America and it make it shine again. And, he's going to start with you Muslims" and "This is a great time for patriotic Americans. Long live President Trump and God bless the U.S.A." 

"This hate campaign targeting California houses of worship must be investigated as an act of religious intimidation, and our state's leaders should speak out against the growing anti-Muslim bigotry that leads to such incidents," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.

CAIR's national office has noted a spike in incidents targeting American Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 presidential election. Over 100 anti-Muslim incidents have occurred across the country according to CAIR and over 700 incidents targeting different minority groups have been documented by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization recently said that newly-released FBI hate crime statistics showing a 67 percent jump in anti-Muslim incidents in 2015 should push the nation's leaders to repudiate growing Islamophobia.

SEE: CAIR Says FBI Report of Sharp Jump in Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes Should Push Nation's Leaders to Reject Islamophobia

CAIR is urging American Muslims and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions and is offering Muslim community leaders free copies of its booklet, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety." The booklet may be requested through CAIR's website: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

- END –

CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Malak Habbak, 714-776-1847, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]