Hate Attack Targets Ill. Man Perceived as 'Middle Eastern'
Muslim civil rights group calls for federal civil rights charges

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/8/11) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for federal civil rights charges to be filed against a man seeking to "save his country" by allegedly stabbing a faculty member of the University of Illinois College of Law who he thought was "Middle Eastern."

CAIR reports that the victim, a naturalized citizen of Sri Lankan heritage who is not Muslim, was stabbed Wednesday on the second floor of the Illinois Terminal Building in Champaign, Ill. According to investigators, the victim was singled out due to his perceived ethnicity and the attacker allegedly committed the offense to, in his words, "save his country."

The victim underwent surgery for a stab wound to his neck. His alleged attacker, 23-year-old Joshua Scaggs, was charged with attempted murder and a hate crime.

SEE: University Faculty Member Stabbed in Alleged Hate Crime
Man Arrested for Stabbing UI Faculty Member at Illinois Terminal

"We thank local law enforcement authorities for their swift and professional actions in this case and urge the U.S. Department of Justice to consider what federal civil rights charges could be filed in the case," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Our society must begin to address the rising level of anti-Muslim sentiment that can lead to such disturbing incidents."

He added that earlier this week, CAIR contacted the FBI and local police to seek the investigation of a possible bias motive for the stabbing of a Sikh man at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California. (Sikh men who wear beards and turbans are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.)

Video: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Sikh in Calif.

Hooper noted that a Hindu man was assaulted last month in San Jose, Calif., by a group of men who called him a "terrorist."

SEE: San Jose Man Punched, Called 'Terrorist' on Grocery Trip to Lucky

A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism

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-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, E-Mail:arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Amina Sharif, 312-212-1520or 630-935-5562, E-Mail: asharif@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail:arubin@cair.com