CAIR-MN: St. Anthony to Vote on Islamic Center (Pioneer Press )
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling on the council to green-light the project.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Fire at Building Associated with Mich. Mosque

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 6/12/12) -- The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on the FBI to investigate a possible bias motive for a fire and hate graffiti targeting a building associated with a Dearborn mosque.

CAIR-MI said obscene graffiti with the word "Arabs" was discovered today along with an apparently intentionally-set fire at the Dearborn Woods Community Center, which is associated with the nearby American Muslim Center.

"If a bias motive is revealed in this case, the FBI should add its resources to those of local law enforcement authorities to help bring the perpetrators to justice," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, who informed local FBI officials of the incident.

Walid noted that there have been a number of similar incidents targeting mosques nationwide.

Video: CAIR-MN Says Mosque Vandalism Should Be Taken Seriously 
Video: FBI Joins Possible Hate Crime Investigation at Md. Mosque (CAIR)
Video: CAIR Seeks Bias Probe of Calif. Mosque VandalismCAIR: Politics Behind Rise in Muslim Hate Crimes (LA Times)
Video: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Threats Sent to N.C. Mosques

CAIR-MI is asking members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

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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