(ANAHEIM, CA, 6/19/17) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered condolences on the death of a Virginia Muslim teen who was murdered yesterday and called for a thorough investigation of a possible bias motive in the case.
Police say 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen of Reston, Va., was beaten and abducted after leaving the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque in northern Virginia on Sunday by a man who was later arrested on suspicion of murder. The girl’s body was found in a local pond. Police have not ruled out a bias motive for the attack.
SEE: Muslim Teen Assaulted Outside US Mosque Found Murdered in Virginia (Reuters)
Officials: 17-Year-Old Muslim Girl Assaulted and Killed After Leaving Virginia Mosque
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“There are no words to describe the devastation and anguish felt by the family and by all members of the community as a result of this senseless tragedy. CAIR, its board and staff offer sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Nabra Hassanen in their time of grief. To God we belong and to Him we return.
“As we grieve for Nabra’s loss, we also urge law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of a possible bias motive in this case, coming as it does at a time of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate attacks nationwide.”
CAIR has noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims – and particularly Muslim women – and other minority groups since the November 8 election and recently released a report showing a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016 over the previous year. This spike in anti-Muslim incidents was accompanied by a 44 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes during the same period.
SEE: New CAIR Report Shows More than 50 Percent Spike in Anti-Muslim Incidents
CAIR-LA is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to local police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 714-776-1177 or by filing a report here.
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Ojaala Ahmad, oahmad@cair.com, 714-851-4851