Man Attacked

Illinois Muslim Attacked on College CampusAlleged armed assault follows reports of violent threats
(CHICAGO, IL, 10/10/2008) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) is calling on local, state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate an alleged armed assault on a Muslim college student in Elmhurst, Ill., as a hate crime.
Media reports indicate that the Muslim student was attacked in a women’s restroom by a masked gunman at Elmhurst College on Thursday and was the target of anti-Muslim graffiti a week ago. The suburban campus was placed on lock-down after yesterday evening’s attack in which the Muslim student reported being pistol-whipped by a masked gunman, who was described as a white male.
Just prior to the attack, the student says she noticed graffiti stating “kill the Muslims” written on the restroom mirror. In previous incidents, the student was reportedly called a “terrorist” by another person on campus and found anti-Muslim graffiti and a Nazi swastika scrawled in her locker.
SEE: Student Attacked (Chicago Sun-Times)
VIDEO: Woman Assaulted on College Campus (ABC)
Other Muslim students told CAIR-Chicago that there have been recent incidents involving apparent anti-Muslim hate on campus. In one such incident, a Muslim student was verbally abused by a person who shouted: “Get the f**k out of here, you don’t belong here. Muslims belong in hell. Go back home.”
“These disturbing incidents must be treated with the seriousness they deserve by relevant law enforcement agencies at the local, state and national levels,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab. “There is no room for religious, racial or ethic intimidation or violence on our nation’s college campuses.”
He noted that earlier today, CAIR reported an incident of vandalism at a Chicago mosque. He said similar incidents have targeted Muslim individuals and institutions nationwide. Today, the Los Angeles Times reported that police are investigating a death threat against a Muslim candidate for the Irvine City Council.
SEE: Muslim Candidate for Irvine City Council Gets Death Threat
Rehab said CAIR is also concerned that the level of anti-Muslim bias has been increased by the distribution of the “propaganda” film “Obsession” to 28 million households in presidential election swing states.