FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Texas Mosque Arson as Hate Crime

(HOUSTON, TX, 5/16/11) –- The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) has called on the FBI to investigate an apparent arson attack on aHouston mosque as a possible hate crime.

Officials of the Madrasah Islamiah mosque say a group of male suspects smashed a window of the facility then doused a room with gasoline before setting it on fire around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Surveillance video shows the suspects with their faces covered. Damage was confined to one room. No injuries were reported.

Video: Arson Suspected at Mosque in Houston
Houston Mosque Targeted By Arsonists
Masked Men Try to Burn Mosque

"The number of recent incidents targeting American Muslims points to a disturbing nationwide trend that needs to be addressed by political and religious leaders at the national level," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

SEE: Politicians Pander to Islamophobia (LA Times)

He added that in the past year, arsonists have targeted mosques or mosque construction sites in Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Michigan. In May of last year, a bomb exploded at a Florida mosque.

Video: Texas Mosque Vandalism May be Linked to Park51
Fire Damages Mosque Bomb Suspect Attended
Fire at Tenn. Mosque Building Site Ruled Arson
CAIR: Fla. Mosque Bombing Suspect Killed in Okla. Shootout

Hooper noted that over the weekend, CAIR's Michigan chapter called for a hate crime investigation of an incident in which a vehicle was vandalized and defaced with the phrase "f*ckin sand n*gger."

CAIR: Mich. Muslim's Car Defaced with 'Sand N*gger'
PHOTO: Mich. Muslim's Car Defaced with 'Sand N*gger'

A number of other hate incidents targeting American Muslims, those perceived to be Muslim and Muslim institutions have occurred in the days since the death of Osama bin laden.

CAIR asked the FBI to investigate as a possible hate crime an incident in Louisiana 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: CAIR Calls Louisiana Mosque Vandalism an Act of Intimidation

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

SEE: Would-Be Mosque's Fence Defaced with Dead Bin Laden Graffiti

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, the humiliation of a Texas Muslim student by a teacher, and a hate sign posted near a New York mosque.

CAIR: Bin Laden Death Leads to Maine Mosque Vandalism
Video: CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Hate Graffiti Targeting Muslim Family
Video: Teacher on Leave for Teasing Muslim Student (CAIR-TX)

Muslim religious leaders, or imams, were also barred from flying to a conference onIslamophobia.

Video: CAIR Rep on CNN to Discuss Imams Removed from Flight
Video: Conference on 'Fear of Islam' Reacts to Plane Incident (CAIR)

In California, a gas station attendant of East Indian heritage was attacked by assailants who called him a "jihadist" and claimed the clerk was angry bin Laden was dead.

SEE: 2 Eureka Men Wanted On Hate Crime Charge (AP)

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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