SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for a fire and hate graffiti targeting a building associated with a Dearborn mosque.
[MEDIA ADVISORY: CAIR's Minnesota chapter will hold a media availability at 6:30 p.m. tonight, just prior to a city council meeting in St. Anthony, Minn., to discuss approval of a new Islamic center that faced local opposition. LOCATION: Outside the St. Anthony Council Chambers, 3301 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, Minn. CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com, SEE: CAIR-MN: St. Anthony to Vote on Islamic Center, http://tinyurl.com/7o3hrvy]
CAIR-MI said obscene graffiti with the word "Arabs" was discovered today along with an apparently intentionally-set fire at the Dearborn Woods Community Center, which is associated with the nearby American Muslim Center.
"If a bias motive is revealed in this case, the FBI should add its resources to those of local law enforcement authorities to help bring the perpetrators to justice," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, who informed local FBI officials of the incident.
Walid noted that there have been a number of similar incidents targeting mosques nationwide.
Video: CAIR-MN Says Mosque Vandalism Should Be Taken Seriously
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQghju4JJug
Video: FBI Joins Possible Hate Crime Investigation at Md. Mosque (CAIR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nem0EVeP6ag
Video: CAIR Seeks Bias Probe of Calif. Mosque Vandalism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIBKOP5p_3I
CAIR: Politics Behind Rise in Muslim Hate Crimes (LA Times)
http://tinyurl.com/8a7pfu7
Video: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Threats Sent to N.C. Mosques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDveZJJCxd4
CAIR-MI is asking members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."
SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx
A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.
CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
http://tinyurl.com/66enzm8
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
http://tinyurl.com/7cozjxg
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
http://tinyurl.com/3qsv2v8
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism http://tinyurl.com/6j9fttw
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-390-9784, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
