(SACRAMENTO, CA, 1/22/17) - The Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the apparent bias motive for vandalism targeting a local mosque and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
CAIR-SV said a glass door was smashed early this morning at the Islamic Center of Davis in Davis, Calif., and what appeared to be bacon was left on a door handle of the house of worship. Surveillance video shows someone who appears to be female placing the bacon on the door handle.
[NOTE: Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork to offend Muslim sensibilities.]
"We ask state law enforcement authorities and the FBI to investigate the apparent bias motive for this vandalism and to bring the perpetrator to justice," said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. "The swift apprehension and punishment of those responsible for this act of religious intimidation will send the message that the growing Islamophobia we are witnessing in our nation will not be tolerated or ignored."
CAIR's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., has noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election.
A soon-to-be-published CAIR report on Islamophobia in America is expected to show that 2016 was the worst year on record for incidents in which mosques were targets of bias.
CAIR is urging American Muslims and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions and is offering Muslim community leaders free copies of its booklet, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety." The booklet may be requested through CAIR's website:
http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-SV's Civil Rights Department at 916-441-6269 or by filing a report at:
ca.cair.com/sacval/report-an-incident
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV Outreach & Communications Coordinator Muhammad Saifullah, 916-678-0752,
[email protected]; CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916 289-3748,
[email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726
[email protected]
