LOS ANGELES, CA – (01/13/2020) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and the national office of CAIR said a tweet by President Donald Trump of an Islamophobic image mocking Islam and Muslims will further endanger members of the American Muslim and Sikh communities.
[MEDIA AVAILABILITY: CAIR-LA representatives are available for media interviews on this issue (Jan. 13). CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene Fields, 714-851-4851 efields@cair.com]
This morning, Trump retweeted a photoshopped image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), with Pelosi wearing an Islamic headscarf (hijab) and Schumer wearing a turban.
SEE: Trump Retweets Doctored Photo of Nancy Pelosi Wearing Hijab in Front of Iranian Flag to His 70 Million Followers
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-retweets-doctored-photo-nancy-pelosi-wearing-hijab-front-iranian-flag-his-70-million-1481921
CAIR noted that Sikh men who wear beards and turbans as part of their faith are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.
In April 2019, CAIR-LA received an anonymous bomb threat to its office made shortly after its annual Valley Banquet fundraiser, which featured Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN). The bomb threat came after Trump tweeted a video attacking Rep. Omar (for the way she phrased a reference to the 9/11 terror attacks during a speech at the CAIR-LA event).
SEE: Bomb Threat Called Into CAIR-LA Building in Anaheim
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bomb-threat-cair-la-20190417-story.html
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“As anti-Muslim hate has exponentially increased over the past few years, we have warned against the danger of how normalizing hate speech leads to hate threats and hate attacks. The increase in threats and violence are the direct result of irresponsible attacks from the highest levels made against members of marginalized communities. We have seen what happens when Trump spews his focused hatred on social media. Enough is enough. All of people of decency, regardless of political party, must stand together to denounce this hate speech.”
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Today’s childish, undignified and offensive retweet of an Islamophobic photoshopped image of Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer further endangers American Muslims, Sikhs and members of other faiths who wear recognizable religious attire and are increasingly targeted by bigots nationwide.
“President Trump has repeatedly targeted Islam and Muslims with bigoted rhetoric and Islamophobic appointments and policies such as the Muslim Ban, which media reports say is soon to be extended to other nations.
“Americans of all faiths and backgrounds must speak out against this promotion of religious hatred by the occupant of the Oval Office. Such bigotry is not normal and it must never become acceptable.”
Awad noted that CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
Ayloush urged community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at 714-776-1177 or by filing a report at: https://bit.ly/2L9Ezsw.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene W. Fields, 714-851-4851 or efields@cair.com