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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: Attack on Penn. Muslim Business Probed as Hate Crime
Vandals scrawl anti-Iranian graffiti inside ransacked Palestinian-American store

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/23/09) – A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy groupreported today that anti-Iranian graffiti was scrawled inside a Philadelphia store ransacked by vandals earlier this week.

According to the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the vandals also overturned counters, broke glass windows and doors and scattered food and other items around the store, which is owned by Muslim Palestinian-Americans.

Local and national law enforcement authorities are reportedly investigating the incident as a hate crime.

SEE: Vandalism at Penn. Business Probed as Hate Crime

SEE ALSO: Philadelphia Muslim Store Target of Apparent Hate Crime

“We hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be brought to justice and ask that all relevant hate crime enhancements be added to any criminal charges,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

In 1982, Pennsylvania passed the "Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act,” which offers additional charges for those who engage in “ethnic intimidation.”

SEE: What is a Hate Crime?

Hooper urged American Muslims and other minority groups to review advice on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit

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.