CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Texas Mosque Vandalism

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, Texas, June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-DFW), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight called on state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate a paintball attack on a mosque in that state as a possible hate crime.

Officials with the McKinney Islamic Association in Mckinney, Texas, told CAIR that up to two dozen paintballs were fired at the mosque sometime between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday. A vehicle owned by a member of the mosque's congregation was also hit by a paintball after he left the facility. Worshippers have reportedly been verbally harassed recently by young people who gather near the mosque. Local police told mosque officials that they will recommend stepped up patrols in the area.

PHOTO: Mosque Targeted by Paintball Attack
http://tinyurl.com/mosquepaintballphoto
McKinney Islamic Association
http://www.mckinneyia.org/

"If a bias motive is proven in this case, the perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, including appropriate hate crime enhancements," said CAIR-DFW President Amina Rab. "Local, state and national leaders should acknowledge the growing Islamophobia in our nation that can lead to such attacks."

Last week, CAIR urged a similar hate crime probe of vandalism targeting a Georgia mosque.

Video: CAIR Says Ga. Mosque Vandalism May Be Tied to London Incident
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVZGJDgpaO0
Video: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Georgia Mosque Vandalism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNWYluib7As

CAIR recently began distributing new safety and security guidelines to mosques and other Islamic institutions nationwide.

The new CAIR publication, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," was produced in response to recent bias attacks, including a series of incidents last year targeting American Muslim institutions.

Community leaders may request a free copy of CAIR's "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," by going to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

SEE: CAIR Distributes New Mosque Safety Guidelines http://tinyurl.com/p6678ok

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-DFW President Amina Rab, 469-554-0786, 469-774-5215, E-Mail [email protected]; Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of CAIR-Texas's Houston chapter, 832-549-1042, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)