Thursday, January 13, 2011

BREAKING: Detained American Says F.B.I. Pressed Him (NY Times)
"If law enforcement officials have concerns about Mr. Mohamed or his past actions, he should be allowed to return to the United States, where he may agree to being questioned in the presence of his attorney -- free of the psychological pressures of his current detention," wrote his lawyer, Gadeir Abbas of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Government Informant Infiltrated Minn. Activist Groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: Missouri Mosque Vandalized with Hate Graffiti
Muslim civil rights group asks that incident be probed as hate crime

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/13/11) -- The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate recent vandalism at a Missouri mosque as a hate crime.

Officials with the Islamic Center of Springfield say hate graffiti was written on outside walls of the mosque sometime late Friday or early Saturday. The graffiti included obscenities, a Star of David and the words, "You bash us in Pakistan we bash you here." The FBI has been informed of the vandalism.

"State and national law enforcement authorities should know that this is not an isolated incident, but is a symptom of the disturbing growth of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper said recent anti-Muslim incidents nationwide include threats against a Muslim shopper in Idaho, two cases of threats against Muslims in Seattle and the alleged stalking of a Muslim woman in Oregon.

Seattle Muslim Targeted in Bias Attack
Video: Hate Crime Charges Filed in Attack on Muslim Women
Hate-Crime Suspect Arrested, Placed on Immigration Hold
Video: Man with Gun Arrested at Ohio Islamic School

Other recent anti-Muslim incidents include a bias-motivated attack on a Muslim woman outside an Ohio mosque, threats against a Muslim school in Oklahoma and hate mail sent to mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim organizations in Michigan and Ohio. CAIR also asked for the removal of a website that advocated burning mosques, making false bomb threats implicating Muslims, desecrating Muslim graves, and that recommended the "proper way to shoot a muslim [sic]."

American Muslim individuals and institutions are being urged to review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR's "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.

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