CAIR-Minnesota Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Bacon Left at Rochester Mosque
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN., 6/23/18) –
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the attempted religious desecration of a Rochester, Minn., mosque as a possible hate crime.
This morning, officials with the Abubakar Islamic Center found bacon by the front door and in the parking lot of the mosque. The incident was then reported to local police.
[NOTE: Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork to offend Muslim sensibilities.]
“As with a number of similar attempted acts of religious desecration nationwide, the use of pork products to target an Islamic institution is a clear indicator of a bias motive and should be investigated as a possible hate crime,”
said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein
.
Photos of Bacon Left at Mosque:
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
Earlier today, CAIR-MN called for a full investigation into allegations of racist graffiti left the homes of two African-American families in River Falls, Wisconsin.
SEE: CAIR-MN Statement in Response to Racist Graffiti Messages on African-American Homes in River Falls, Wisconsin
The Washington-based organization’s recently-released 2018 Civil Rights Report, “Targeted,” showed a 17 percent increase in bias-motivated incidents against American Muslims from 2016 to 2017, and a 15 percent increase in the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in that same time period.
CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
CAIR urges all houses of worship to take extra security precautions using its
"Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet.
SEE EXCERPTS: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
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-Minnesota Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-206-3360,
[email protected]
; Based in Rochester CAIR-MN Southern Minnesota Coordinator Regina Mustafa
612-986-7724
CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,
[email protected]
