CAIR-NY Calls for Stepped-up Security at Mosques After Hate Incident
(NEW YORK, NY, 6/24/16) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called for stepped-up security for mosques in that state after another hate incident targeting Muslims in or near Islamic institutions.
CAIR-NY says a man faces hate crime charges after he allegedly threatened an imam (religious leader) with a pipe at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville, N.Y.
SEE: Pipe-Wielding Man Arrested for Hate Crime at Albanian Mosque, Cops Say
Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Kill Muslims at Staten Island Mosque: Police Sources
CAIR-NY and the Association of Muslim American Lawyers (AMAL) recently called on the New York City Council to hold public hearings on growing Islamophobia after a Muslim man was attacked outside a Bronx mosque.
Prior to that incident, CAIR-NY called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to investigate a possible bias motive for an alleged attack on a Muslim man outside a Queens mosque.
“These recent incidents at mosques in our state demonstrate the need for stepped up security measures by community leaders and increased police presence in the area around Islamic institutions,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.
She said CAIR recently issued a national community security alert urging Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional security measures in the wake of the Orlando massacre and a number of recent hate incidents targeting Muslims and Islamic houses of worship.
CAIR Community Security Alert: CAIR Urges Mosques to Take Added Security Measures Following Hate Incidents
Incidents targeting American Muslims and their religious institutions have spiked in recent months, prompted at least in part by anti-Muslim rhetoric employed by public figures like Donald Trump.
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.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you may call CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or email civilrights@cair.com.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, (917) 669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com