CAIR Asks FBI to Aid Probe of Fire at Ohio Muslims' Home

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today called on the FBI to assist local law enforcement authorities who are investigating the cause of a fire at a Muslim family's home in that state.

CAIR-Ohio said local investigators are working to determine the cause of a house fire on Monday in Hilliard, Ohio. The property had been vandalized with anti-Muslim graffiti at least twice, including an incident just two months ago.

Video: Hilliard Fire Investigated as Possible Hate Crime
http://tinyurl.com/6m2dmkv

"Because of the past bias incidents, we urge the FBI to offer its resources to local law enforcement authorities who are investigating the cause of the fire," said CAIR-Columbus Legal Director Jennifer Nimer.

Nimer said CAIR recently called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a bias motive for an attack on a Texas Muslim in which a portion of the victim's ear was bitten off.

Video: CAIR Seeks FBI Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Texas Muslim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns6wBrLTI28

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization has also called for federal hate crime charges to be filed against a man who allegedly said "f*** Osama Bin Laden" during an attack on a Wisconsin man of Moroccan heritage.

SEE: Man who allegedly beat Moroccan arrested for hate crime
http://tinyurl.com/6q5ehmm

CAIR called for similar hate crime charges against a man seeking to "save his country" by allegedly stabbing a faculty member of the University of Illinois College of Law who he thought was "Middle Eastern."

Other recent incidents include the stabbing of a Sikh man at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California and an assault on Hindu man in San Jose, Calif., by a group of men who called him a "terrorist." (NOTE: Sikh men who wear beards and turbans are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.)

Video: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Sikh in Calif.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFAsWPNo1c
SEE: San Jose Man Punched, Called 'Terrorist' on Grocery Trip to Lucky
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_19448504

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-Ohio Staff Attorney Romin Iqbal, 614-451-3232, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR-Columbus Legal Director Jennifer Nimer, 614-451-3232, E-mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)