• CAIR-St. Louis to Join Somali Leaders in Urging Bias Probe of Attack on Teen
• CAIR-FL: Islamic Groups Voice Concerns About Anti-Islam ProfIn the video, Matusitz said, "Why do so many Muslims relative to other religions want to kill us? The answer is easy. Very easy. It's seven letters: culture."
  
  • Video: Fla. Officials Asked to Drop Event with Anti-Muslim Prof (CAIR)
• Photos: CAIR-Chicago's 500th Intern Graduates 
• CAIR: Why is Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'dream' only half-realized? (CS Monitor)
• CAIR: Mass. Bar Examiners Will Allow Test-Takers to Wear Hijab (Boston Globe)
  "Now, we can move forward and have everyone's religious rights respected," said CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper. "It's not just Muslim women wearing headscarves, but also Sikh men wearing turbans, Jewish men wearing yarmulkes, Mennonite women wearing bonnets. There's all types of religious expression."
• GOOD NEWS UPDATE: American Families Stranded in Gaza Allowed to Leave
  CAIR is beginning to receive reports of American families that have been stranded in the Gaza Strip being allowed to cross the border into Egypt over the weekend. Last week, CAIR called on Secretary of State John Kerry to provide immediate departure assistance to those families.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks Probe of Bias Motive for Vandalism of Idaho Muslim Business

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/26/13) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for repeated acts of vandalism targeting a Muslim-owned business in Idaho.

Family members, who are Muslims of Middle Eastern background, say their restaurant has been vandalized at least four times in the last few months, the first two times with eggs thrown at the door. In the third incident, the word "murder" was written in the parking lot. On Sunday, a rock was thrown through the front door, shattering the glass. Boise police are investigating the incidents.

Video: Muslim-Owned Restaurant Hit By String of Vandalism Attacks

"The repeated nature of the incidents, coupled with the word 'murder' and the religious and ethnic background of the victims, requires that a possible bias motive be investigated," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Too often, Muslims or those who are perceived to be Muslim are being singled out for discrimination and bias."

CAIR-FL: Pastor Plans to Burn Korans on 9/11 
CAIR: Muslim's Attire May Have Led to Bomb Scare Arrest
Islamophobes Disrupt Muslim Forum at Illinois Library
Hindu Man Mistaken for Muslim Refused Service by JetBlue

Hooper noted that CAIR will soon issue its annual report on Islamophobia, called "Legislating Fear: Islamophobia and its Impact in the United States." NOTE: To receive information about the release of CAIR's report, subscribe to CAIR's email list.

Last month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in California following an apparently bias-motivated attack on a Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship.

The Washington-based civil rights group has called on local and national law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for similar acts of vandalism targeting mosques nationwide.

SEE: CAIR Asks Feds to Probe Threats to NJ Mosque

In May, CAIR began distributing new safety and security guidelines to mosques and other houses of worship nationwide. The new CAIR publication, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," was produced in response to recent bias attacks, including a series of incidents last year targeting American Muslim institutions.

Community leaders may request a free copy of CAIR's "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety."

SEE: CAIR Distributes New Mosque Safety Guidelines 

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.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com