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CAIR-NY Seeks Hate Crime Charges for Attack on Muslim Woman
Assailants allegedly beat woman they called 'f**king terrorist'

(NEW YORK, NY, 7/9/11) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on state and federal authorities to file hate crime charges against two people who allegedly attacked a Muslim woman, ripped off her religious attire and called her a "f**king terrorist."

The 56-year-old woman says she was attacked Wednesday after asking one of the two alleged assailants to stop taking her picture as she walked down a New York City street. The alleged attackers were charged with assault. Hate crime charges are being investigated.

SEE: Muslim Gal Assaulted in Harlem (NY Post)

"An American of any faith or ethnicity should be able to walk down the street without fear of bias-motivated harassment or attack," said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick. "We urge New York law enforcement authorities and the FBI to bring appropriate hate crime charges in this troubling case."

He said CAIR-NY recently welcomed the filing of hate crime charges against a Brooklynman who allegedly shouted "F****ing Arabs! F****ing terrorists!" as he attacked a Turkish man and his wife who live next door.

CAIR-NY Welcomes Hate Crime Charges in Attack on Turkish Couple

McGoldrick added that CAIR and the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Race and Gender recently released a report that documents growing Islamophobia in the United States.

Video: News Conference Announcing Release of Islamophobia Report
Video: CAIR Billboards Target Islamophobia

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is urging members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR 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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