CAIR Calls for FBI Probe of N.C. Mosque Vandalism

Doors, windows smashed in third incident of vandalism targeting mosque

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on local law enforcement authorities and the FBI
to investigate the possibility of a bias motive for vandalism of a Durham,
N.C., mosque.

An official of the Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman mosque, the largest mosque in Durham,
told CAIR that two reinforced glass doors on the exterior of the building were
smashed sometime late Sunday or early Monday, as were a number of other doors
and windows in the facility. The vandals also stole computers and printers.

Worshipers first noticed the vandalism when they arrived for morning prayers
at the mosque on Monday.

SEE: Durham Mosque is Vandalized (News & Observer)
http://www.newsobserver.com/home/story/174919.html

This was reportedly the third incident of vandalism targeting the mosque.
Local police had asked mosque officials to alert them to any incidents that
may be related to recent arrests of area Muslims on terrorism charges.

"Because of the severity of the damage to the mosque, the previous incidents
of vandalism and the possibility of backlash from the recent arrests of local
Muslims on terror-related charges, we believe it is only prudent to
investigate a possible bias motive in this case," said CAIR National
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

He noted that CAIR recently called on the FBI to investigate the
bias-motivated vandalism of a Houston, Texas, mosque in which anti-Islamic
remarks were scrawled on the walls of the facility.

SEE: Southwest Houston Mosque Defaced
http://tinyurl.com/txmosque

Hooper also said CAIR last month called on state and federal law enforcement
authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for vandalism of the home of
a Muslim woman in California who was running for elected office.

SEE: Local Muslim Candidate's Home Vandalized
http://tinyurl.com/cacandidate

Also in October, CAIR's New York office welcomed hate crime charges brought
against a man who allegedly used racial slurs during an attack in Queens,
N.Y., on a Long Island Muslim woman.

SEE: Racist Slurs Used During Attack on NY Muslim
http://tinyurl.com/nyracistslurs

In September, CAIR expressed concern about a spike in reports of anti-Muslim
incidents nationwide during or just prior to the month of Ramadan.

SEE: CAIR Concerned by 'Spike' in Anti-Muslim Incidents in Ramadan
http://tinyurl.com/ramadanattacks

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization is urging American
Muslim individuals and institutions to review advice on security procedures
contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

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

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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director, +1-202-488-8787 or
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, or Amina Rubin, Communications Coordinator,
+1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com, both of CAIR