CAIR: Groups File Challenge to Okla. Anti-Shariah Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: Calif. Clerk Called 'Jihadist' During Assault
Muslim civil rights group asks FBI to probe incident as hate crime

(SACRAMENTO, CA, 5/10/11) –- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on the FBI to investigate as a hate crime an attack on a California gas station attendant during which the alleged assailants called the victim a "jihadist" and claimed the clerk was angry Osama bin Laden was dead.

The Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR-SV) said the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is searching for two men suspected of assaulting the clerk, who is of East Indian descent, on Sunday in Eureka, Calif. Racial epithets were reportedly used during the assault.

Police: Hate Crime Suspects Mention Osama bin Laden While Attacking Clerk
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Searching for Two Men Suspected of Hate Crime

Earlier today, CAIR ask the FBI to investigate as a possible hate crime an incident inLouisiana in which a mosque was vandalized with pork. [Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork products and bigots often use pigs or pork to offend Muslim sensibilities.]

Video: Louisiana Mosque Vandalized with Pork

CAIR has also learned that a construction site for a Brooklyn, N.Y., mosque was vandalized in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden. The wall of the Sheepshead Bay property was vandalized with graffiti that stated, "He is dead," in apparent reference to bin Laden.

SEE: Brooklyn Mosque Row Reflects Wider Tensions

Other recent anti-Muslim incidents reported to CAIR following the death of Osama bin Laden include hate vandalism of a Maine mosque, Nazi and KKK graffiti sprayed on the home of a Muslim family in Minnesota and a hate sign posted near a New York mosque.

CAIR-NJ: Muslims Report Incidents in Wake of bin Laden's Death

"This spike in anti-Muslim incidents should be of concern to all Americans who value tolerance and respect for religious diversity," said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra.

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.

- END –

CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916-289-3748, E-Mail:belkarra@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com