(SACRAMENTO, CA, 12/26/2015) – The Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an apparent firebombing of the Tracy Islamic Center in Tracy Calif., as a hate crime.
This morning, mosque leaders found fire damage on a side door to the facility from what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail.
"The recent spike in hate incidents targeting mosques nationwide is unprecedented and should be of concern to all Americans," saidCAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. "We urge law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident as a hate crime and to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Yesterday, CAIR-Houston called for an investigation after firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at a mosque in southwest Houston Friday afternoon. Officials are checking surveillance video and say the cause of the fire is "suspicious."
SEE:Houston Mosque FireWas Intentionally Set, Fire Department Says
Earlier this month, a suspect was arrested for allegedly firebombing a California mosque.
CAIR: Person Detained in Fire at Coachella Mosque; Concern Over Shooting Backlash Mounts
On Thursday, CAIR's San Francisco Bay Area chapter questioned the release of a Richmond, Calif., man who allegedly threatened and plotted to bomb local Muslims.
Video: CAIR-SFBA Shocked at Release of Suspect Who Threatened, Plotted to Bomb Muslims
CAIR recently released a preliminary report on more than 70 incidents targeting American mosques and religious institutions in 2015 that shows a greater frequency of damage, destruction, vandalism, and intimidation than in any other year since CAIR started tracking such cases in 2009.
CAIR Report: Number of Incidents Targeting U.S. Mosque in 2015 Highest Ever Recorded
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