CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Bias Motive for Texas Mosque Fires

HOUSTON, March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) today called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for two fires at a Houston-area mosque.

Arson investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire at a mosque in the Clear Lake area of Houston. The fire is the second blaze at the same facility in the past week.

Video: Fire Erupts at Mosque in Clear Lake Area

http://tinyurl.com/68amwka

2nd Fire at Mosque Within One Week

http://tinyurl.com/48hsa72

"Because of the two fires within one week and the rising level of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society, it would only be prudent to investigate a possible bias motive in this case," said CAIR-Texas Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll.

Carroll noted that a man recently pleaded guilty to an arson attack on an Arlington, Texas, mosque.

SEE: Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime in Connection with Mosque Arson

http://media-newswire.com/release_1143843.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.

CONTACT: CAIR-Texas Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, 832-549-1042, 713-838-2247, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, 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