CAIR-SV to Call for Rejection of Islamophobia After Calif. Muslim Shot Dead in Hate Attack
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 3/27/14) – Later today, the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) will hold a news conference with the brother of the victim, community leaders and law enforcement officials to address the recent hate-motivated murder of a Sacramento Muslim.
WHAT: News Conference to Denounce Hate Murder, Growing Islamophobia
WHEN: Thursday, March 27, 1 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR-SV Office, 717 K Street, Suite 217, Sacramento, CA 95814
CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916-441-6269, 916-289-3748, belkarra@cair.com
This news conference comes after a Muslim man of Iraqi heritage was shot and killed in a Home Depot parking lot allegedly because the assailant had"severe hatred"of Middle Easterners and was incensed by the Islamic headscarf (hijab)worn by the victim's sister.
Police say Hassan Alawsi's assailant stalked him in the Sacramento, Calif., parking lot before gunning him down on March 16.
SEE: Authorities Describe Killing of Man Outside Home Depot as Racially Motivated (Sacramento Bee) http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/26/6271774/authorities-describe-killing-of.html
"Only clear condemnation of increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric in our society will send the message that the targeting of American Muslims because of their faith or appearance is unacceptable," said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. "For too long, our nation's leaders have remained silent as hate-mongers spew their Islamophobic venom."
Elkarra noted that the mother of a CAIR-SV board member was recently targeted by a man shouting Islamophobic slurs in the parking lot of a local shopping center.
Last Sunday, CAIR-SV called on local law enforcement authorities to consider hate crime charges against a man who allegedly called a Muslim woman wearing hijab a "terrorist" and tried to hit her with his car in a Stockton, Calif., parking lot.
CAIR: Attack Against Calif. Muslim Woman Investigated as Hate Crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-bCwwV2DFQ
CAIR-SV also recently called for a similar investigation of vandalism of a California mosque.
Video: CAIR-SV Rep Says Vandalized Mosque Seeks to Educate Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDVhdlH-3zo
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-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916-289-3748, belkarra@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
