CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Anti-Muslim Firebombings
Suspect reportedly told investigators,‘Yes, I f—ing firebombed them. They’re Muslims, scum and terrorists.’
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest and federal charges against a suspect accused of carrying out a series of allegedly hate-motivated firebombing attacks.
According to law enforcement officials, 36-year-old Yogesh Sayrange appeared in federal court yesterday in connection with the June 25 firebombing of a smoke shop in Brooklyn. Prosecutors say Sayrange admitted to the attack, telling investigators, “Yes, I f—ing firebombed them. They’re Muslims, scum and terrorists.”
Federal authorities also allege that Sayrange threw a Molotov cocktail at a church in Ozone Park after reportedly asking individuals gathered outside, “Do you want this institution to be turned into a mosque?” Investigators have linked the suspect to seven arson incidents.
“We welcome the arrest of the suspect in these disturbing attacks and commend federal and local law enforcement authorities for their actions in this case,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “The alleged statements attributed to the suspect leave little doubt that anti-Muslim hatred was a motivating factor in these crimes. Every member of our community deserves to live, work, worship, and conduct business without fear of violence or intimidation. We urge prosecutors to pursue these allegations to the fullest extent of the law and remain vigilant against the growing threat of anti-Muslim hate.”
Yesterday, CAIR-NY joined a call for members of the public to provide any information that may assist law enforcement in identifying the individual responsible for a series of anti-Islamic graffiti incidents in Brooklyn.
Earlier this week, CAIR-NY called for a hate crime investigation into a violent threat targeting the Sunnyside Muslim Center and urged law enforcement to take all necessary measures to protect worshippers ahead of Jummah (weekly Friday congregation) prayers.
CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet, which offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s Email List
You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
END
CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com