News / Human Rights

CAIR concerned over Islamophobia spike in US after Paris attacks

Wednesday, 18 November 2015 12:33 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 1:21 AM ]

A participant holds a sign in a vigil held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2015.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has voiced concerns over a spike in Islamophobia, following the recent terror attacks in Paris.

The Muslim body called Tuesday for additional safety measures in the Islamic places of worship in the wake of the attacks, claimed by Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

“We call on local law enforcement authorities to provide extra patrols in the areas of mosques and Islamic institutions,” said CAIR National executive director Nihad Awad. “We urge public officials and presidential candidates not to scapegoat American Muslims and not allow Islam to be demonized by Islamophobes or by the anti-Islamic actions or terrorists.”

Since Friday's Paris attacks claimed by the Daesh Takfiri militant group, there have been a series of anti-Muslim incidents reported including terror threats to Florida mosques, vandalism at a Nebraska mosque, shots fired at a Florida Muslim family’s home, hate graffiti targeting a Connecticut Muslim student, an arson attack on a Canadian mosque, a tweet threatening Michigan Muslims, and innumerable hate messages sent online and by phone.

*CAIR executive director Nihad Awad speaks at a press conference on January 14, 2015. (shfwire.com)*

In the most recent incident likely on Sunday night, vandals attacked the Islamic Center of Pflugerville near Austin, Texas, where they committed sacrilegious acts against the Muslim place of worship.

CAIR demanded that state and federal law enforcement authorities investigate the vandalism as a hate crime.

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said in a statement that “Now is the time for those leaders who are concerned about traditional American values of religious inclusion and tolerance to speak out against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crime.”

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