• CAIR-MN Welcomes Hennepin Co. Policy Allowing Hijabs in Jails, Booking Photos
  The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a new Hennepin County policy that will allow religious headwear, including hijabs (Islamic head scarves), in jails and booking photos. Hennepin County is the first in the state to create a comprehensive policy on religious headwear. ...
  
  "We welcome this new policy on religious headwear as another example of Hennepin County showing leadership and setting positive precedents for other counties," said CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Saly Abd Alla. (Read more)
  
  
  • CAIR-MN: Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to Announce New Policy for Hijab
    The new policy adheres to the constitutional and federal requirements of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The policy came after discussions with the Council on American Islamic Relations and experts on religion and corrections. 
    
• Muslim Activist, Hip Hop Artist to Appear at CAIR-MN Social Justice Gala
• CAIR-MI Offers Cultural Competency Training to Home Depot Employees
• Tenn. Litigants 'Cannot Camouflage Their Antipathy Toward Muslims'
• NM Muslim: Gym Booted Me Over Head Covering
  
• CAIR-LA: Alice in Arabia Raises Concerns Among Muslims (OC Weekly)
  
  • CAIR-LA: ABC Family's 'Alice in Arabia' Sparks Outrage 
  • CAIR-LA: 'Alice in Arabia' Draws Concern from Muslim Advocates (Variety)
  • CAIR-LA: Muslim Group Shares Concerns with ABC Family Show
  • CAIR-LA: ABC Family Gets Heat Over Drama Project (TV Week)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Seeks Bias Probe of Shots Fired Into Mississippi Mosque

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/20/2014) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for a shooting incident targeting a Mississippi mosque.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said police are investigating a Tuesday incident in which several shots were fired into doors, windows and walls of the Islamic Center of Hattiesburg. Police are currently looking into the incident as an act of "malicious mischief," but CAIR is urging a probe of a possible hate motive.

"We have seen too many attacks on mosques nationwide to ignore the possibility of a bias motive for this shooting incident," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper noted that CAIR's Washington state chapter recently held a news conference to ask the FBI to investigate apparently bias-motivated incidents targeting a mosque in that state.

Just yesterday, a man threatened staff at CAIR's Columbus, Ohio, office.

Also recently, CAIR's Sacramento Valley chapter called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism of a California mosque as a possible hate crime.

In December, CAIR urged a hate crime probe of graffiti sprayed on the Islamic Society of Appalachian Region near Princeton, W.Va. The graffiti spray-painted on the mosque and its sign made obscene references to "Allah," the Arabic word for God. Mosque members say the house of worship was similarly targeted following the 9/11 terror attacks.

CAIR recently welcomed an arrest in the case of a Joplin, Mo., mosque targeted by arson in 2012.

In response to previous attacks on American mosques, CAIR published a booklet called "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" designed to be used by mosque officials, Muslim school administrators and other community leaders and activists who seek to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities to bias-motivated attacks.

To request a free e-copy of CAIR's "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety," go to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

CAIR recently published a major report, "Legislating Fear: Islamophobia and its Impact in the United States," which identifies 37 organizations dedicated to promoting the type of anti-Islam prejudice that can lead to bias-motivated incidents targeting American Muslims.

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, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com