CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism at Muslim Home

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on the FBI to investigate hate vandalism targeting the home of a Somali-American Muslim family in that state.

CAIR-MN reports that sometime during the past weekend, vandals spray-painted a Nazi swastika, the letters "KKK" and the word "stink" on the driveway of the family's Rochester, Minn., home.

SEE: Rochester Family Targeted in Hate Crime
http://tinyurl.com/7uqk8qy

Swastika in Driveway Unsettles Family (Post-Bulletin)
http://bit.ly/KyNC0t

"Minnesotans of all faiths must speak out against the hatred and intolerance that leads to this type of disturbing incident," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya. "State and federal law enforcement authorities should assist in bringing the perpetrators of this apparent bias-motivated crime to justice."

She noted that last May, CAIR-MN asked the FBI to investigate similar graffiti spray-painted on the Rochester home of another Somali Muslim family as a possible hate crime.

SEE: Hate Crime Reported in NW Rochester
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz9ojunKUho  

Saroya also urged the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

Last week, CAIR's New York chapter called on the FBI to investigate an apparently bias-motivated attack in which one of the alleged assailants shouted "f------ Arabs" before beating the victim into unconsciousness.

Video: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe NY Anti-Arab Hate Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJpbBlAds0  

This week, a New Jersey mother and daughter were convicted of harassing and damaging the property of an Iranian couple living next door. The Iranian couple was targeted with racial epithets, called "terrorist" and told to go back to Iran.

SEE: Jury Convicts Jersey City Heights Mother and Daughter of Harassing Their Iranian Neighbors
http://tinyurl.com/7xmbdzf

CAIR-NY noted that two women from Niagara Falls were sentenced recently to jail terms for a hate attack on a Muslim woman last summer.

NY: 2 Sentenced in Hate Attack on Muslim Woman (Buffalo News)
http://tinyurl.com/889vlpx

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://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/08/islamophobia.html

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
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http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
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http://twitter.com/cairnational
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http://www.youtube.com/cairtv

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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