CAIR Seeks Probe of Bias Motive for Vandalism at Brownstown Mosque, Michigan

Vandals broke windows, glass door of Brownstown mosque in past week

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 5/16/2010) ­-

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for recent vandalism at a mosque in that state.

CAIR-MI said officials with the Islamic Association of Michigan (Masjid Umar-bin-Khattab) in Brownstown, Mich., report that in two incidents -- the first on May 9 and the second on May 15 -- vandals broke windows and the glass in an entryway door. The vandals were reportedly caught on surveillance video. The FBI has been notified about the incidents.

"Given recent events, including the failed Times Square bombing and attacks on Muslim individuals and institutions nationwide, a possible bias motive for these acts of vandalism should be investigated," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.

Yesterday, CAIR's San Diego chapter called for hate crime charges to be brought against a man who allegedly used racial slurs during an attack Wednesday on an Afghan-American Muslim taxi driver.

SEE: Hate Crime Charges Sought in Attack on Calif. Muslim

On Friday, CAIR questioned the silence of public officials and national media about a bomb attack Monday on a Florida mosque, which the Muslim civil rights organization attributed in part to growing anti-Islam rhetoric in American Society.

SEE: CAIR Questions National Silence on Fla. Mosque Bombing CAIR Asks Conn. GOP to Repudiate Candidate's Anti-Muslim Comments

Also last week, CAIR's Chicago chapter reported that vandals defaced an exhibit by a Muslim graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

SEE: Attack on Muslim Artwork Called a "Hate Crime"

CAIR is urging American Muslim individuals and institutions to review guidelines on security procedures contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

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.

SEE ALSO - Dawud Walid: Set a Positive Example Detroit native Dawud Walid didn't think twice about where to live when he returned to southeast Michigan in 1998, following a four-year stint in the Navy.

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CONTACT:

CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com