(LOS ANGELES, CA – 8/9/2019) Because of recent incidents of violence targeting public spaces, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) joins with its national chapter in urging Muslim communities in the Greater Los Angeles area to increase security during activities marking the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, on or around August 11.
The prayers and the holiday that follows Hajj are called Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), or “festival of the sacrifice,” which is celebrated with communal prayers and family activities.
SEE: American Muslims to Mark End of Hajj With Prayers, Celebrations
[BACKGROUND: Eid ul-Adha also commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command. The holiday is celebrated with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy and social gatherings. During this holiday, Muslims exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” or “Blessed Eid.” Each year, some two million Muslims, including American Muslims from Southern California, go on Hajj.]
CAIR-LA is urging mosques and other Islamic institutions to take measures outlined in CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet. Advice offered in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission.
The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices.
A recent civil rights report by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) revealed a 500% increase in recent reports of civil rights violations by Muslims traveling by plane, which CAIR-CA believes to be directly tied to the Muslim Ban.
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
