CAIR-CT to Protest City Council's Cancellation of Muslim Prayer
Muslim religious leader disinvited after council inundated with hate messages

(HARTFORD, CT, 9/12/10) -- On Monday, September 13, the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) will hold a prayer vigil on the steps of Hartford City Hall to protest the city council's decision to call off a pre-meeting prayer by a Muslim religious leader, or imam.

WHAT: CAIR-CT Protests Cancellation of Imam's City Council Prayer
WHEN: Monday, September 13, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hartford City Hall Steps, 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT
CONTACT: CAIR-CT Executive Director Mongi Dhaouadi, 860-514-8038, E-Mail:mdhaouadi@cair.com

The Islamic prayer, which was originally designed by city council members as an "act of solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters" at a time of growing Islamophobia nationwide, was canceled after the city council was inundated with "hateful" and "racist" calls and e-mails.

After receiving the hate messages about the planned prayer by Kashif Abdul-Karim, resident imam for the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford, the city council decided to change the Muslim prayer to an "interfaith moment of silence."

CAIR-CT: Hartford City Council Calls Off Islamic Invocation

Council President Winch Switches to Moment of Silence
Complaints Target Muslim Prayers at Conn. Meetings

SEE ALSO: Conn. Imam's House Targeted

At the Monday night vigil, Imam Kashif will offer a prayer in support of mutual understanding andcommunity leaders of other faiths will offer messages of support. The city council will also be asked to allow Imam Kashif to offer a prayer at the next meeting on September 27.

"Elected officials should never bow to those who promote hatred and bigotry, but should instead stand on the principles of religious pluralism that made our nation the envy of the world," said CAIR-CT Executive Director Mongi Dhaouadi.

Earlier today, CAIR called on the FBI to launch a hate crime investigation of a burned copy of theQuran, Islam's holy text, found early yesterday at a Michigan mosque.

SEE: Burned Quran Found Outside East Lansing Mosque

CAIR-MI: Authorities Investigate Vandalism at Islamic Center (Video)

Yesterday CAIR called for federal hate crime charges to be brought against three men who allegedly painted a racist slur on a mosque in New York.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Federal Charges for Hate Graffiti at NY Mosque

Earlier this week, CAIR called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for recent vandalism at a Phoenix mosque site.

CAIR-AZ: Phoenix Mosque Vandalism Being Investigated by FBI

Mosques in California, Tennessee, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas, and Florida have faced vocal opposition or have been targeted by hate incidents in recent months.

CAIR recently launched a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign designed to challenge growing Islamophobia in America.

SEE: American Muslims Speak Out: 9/11 Happened to Us All

Video: NY Anti-Mosque Protester Says Kill All Muslims

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization also launched a "Learn, Don't Burn" educational initiative in response to an extremist Gainesville, Fla., church's now-canceled plan to burn copies of the Quran, Islam's holy text, on September 11.

SEE: CAIR Responds to Fla. Book Burning with Educational Campaign

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.