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(NEW YORK, NY, 10/21/10) --

The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the FBI to investigate a nail attack on a mosque in that state as a possible hate crime.

CAIR-NY said someone threw a jar of nails near the entrance of a Huntington, N.Y., mosque Wednesday night. The jar broke and nails were scattered in the area of the mosque's driveway. Suffolk County police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Representatives of the mosque say other possibly bias-motivated incidents have occurred in recent months. Cops: Suspect Threw Jar of Nails at Huntington Mosque

"State and national religious and political leaders must address the rising number of hate incidents targeting American Muslims and their institutions," said CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali. "We urge the FBI to add its resources to the investigation of this troubling incident."

Ali noted that CAIR's Washington State office today held a news conference in Seattle with two Muslim women who were allegedly attacked at a gas station by an assailant shouting racial and religious slurs.

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Other recent anti-Muslim incidents include an attack on a New York Muslim mother and child, the arrest of New York teens who allegedly harassed a Muslim student because of his faith and the defacement of a South Carolina mosque.

Mosques in California, Tennessee, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, and Florida have faced vocal opposition or have been similarly targeted by hate incidents in recent months.

SEE: CAIR-NY Seeks Hate Crime Charges in Attack on Muslim Mother, Child

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CAIR's national office recently announced the launch of a department devoted to addressing the alarming rise of Islamophobic sentiment in American society.

American Muslim individuals and institutions are being urged to review advice on security procedures contained in CAIR’s "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.-

CONTACT:

CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, 212-870-2002, 718-724-3041, E-Mail: fali@cair.com;

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787,

E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171,

 E-Mail: arubin@cair.com