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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks FBI Probe of Tenn. Anti-Muslim Road Rage Incident
Knife-wielding driver shouts ‘I'll kill you,’ spews religious slurs at Muslim mother and son

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/28/2011) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on the FBI to investigate a Tennessee road rage incident in which a Muslim mother and son were targeted with death threats and anti-Muslim slurs by a knife-wielding driver.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says the Murfreesboro, Tenn., mother and son were targeted Tuesday evening by another driver who shouted anti-Muslim and racial slurs and mocked an Islamic prayer. The Muslim mother wears an Islamic head scarf.

Video: Tenn. Muslim Mom Says Road Rage Incident 'a Hate Crime'

CAIR is also calling for hate crime charges to be brought against the alleged perpetrator once he is apprehended.

"Given the past bias incidents targeting the Islamic community in Murfreesboro and the anti-Islam bill introduced in the Tennessee legislature, it is imperative that the FBI investigate this case to help provide a sense of security to local Muslims," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Because of the racial and religious slurs reportedly used in this incident, we urged local and state law enforcement agencies to bring appropriate hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator."

SEE: Muslims Protest Anti-Islam Bill at State Capitol
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He noted that the construction of a new Islamic center in Murfreesboro prompted GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain to suggest that local communities may ban mosques.

Video: GOP Presidential Candidate Promotes Islamophobia (CAIR)

Anti-Muslim incidents -- including apparently bias-motivated arson -- have occurred at mosques in Nashville, Brentwood, Antioch, Mufreesboro, and Knoxville.

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Hooper added that a second suspect has been arrested following an attack on a New York Muslim woman of Pakistani heritage in Niagara Falls by assailants who yelled racial and ethnic slurs at her and called her a "bloody Paki." ("Paki," a derogatory term for people of Pakistani origin, was spelled "packy" in the police report.) The victim told CAIR she was dressed in Islamic attire at the time of the attack.

‎SEE: 2nd Arrest Made for Hate Crime Targeting NY Pakistani-American

Following the recent terror attacks in Norway, CAIR urged Islamic institutions and members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Asks U.S. Mosques to Step Up Security After Norway Attacks
CAIR-CAN: Canadian Mosques Urged to be Extra-Vigilant

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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CONTACT: 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

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