(LOS ANGELES, CA – 4/10/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed a hate crime investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) of vandalism targeting a mosque in Koreatown, Los Angeles, Calif.
On Sunday night, a suspect allegedly approached the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) and wrote anti-Islamic slurs on the building. The suspect reportedly fled the scene, but LAPD is conducting a hate crime investigation and has released a description of the suspect.
SEE: Man accused of defacing LA Islamic center with hate-filled words on Easter Sunday
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“During this holy month of Ramadan, Muslims attend their local mosques for a chance to connect with their community, break their fasts, and complete their nightly prayers. Widespread Islamophobia and bigotry continue to put communities of faith at risk, preventing us from feeling safe in our neighborhoods, on public transit, and even in our place of worship. Now, more than ever, we must come together to foster inclusivity, promote mutual understanding, and protect our places of worship.
“We thank the LAPD for its swift response in initiating a hate crime investigation. We stand with the community of ICSC and look forward to the LAPD apprehending those responsible for this apparent hate crime.”
He urged the local Muslim community and Islamic institutions nationwide to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.”
On Tuesday, April 11, CAIR plans to release its annual civil rights report at a news conference in its Capitol Hill headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Last year, CAIR released a report, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” documenting more than 6,720 complaints to CAIR offices nationwide involving a range of issues including immigration and travel, workplace discrimination, denial of public accommodations, law enforcement and government overreach, hate and bias incidents, incarceree rights, school incidents, anti-BDS/free speech, among other reported issues.
As a result of the increase in hate and bullying targeting people of faith as well as those of African, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black, immigrant, Middle Eastern descent, CAIR-LA launched the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying to address these incidents more proactively.
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com