On April 23rd, CAIR National released its newest Civil Rights Report, highlighting the organization’s work and findings nationally for 2017. This year’s findings speak volumes of the obstacles the American Muslim community faces each day.
For instance, the report finds that federal government agencies instigated more than one third of all anti-Muslim bias incidents in 2017. Specifically, 464 incidents reported to CAIR nationally, pertained to the unconstitutional Muslim Ban. The anti-Muslim animus displayed by the present administration is unprecedented in scope and breadth as it relates to government hostility towards a religious minority and without question contradicts our shared American values of religious freedom. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Muslim Ban. It is important in this time that we continue to say #NoMuslimBanEver.
Unfortunately, anti-Muslim hate incidents have reached unprecedented levels in 2017. Last year, CAIR received, on average, at least two daily reports of hate crimes targeting a person perceived to be Muslim. Anti-Muslim hate incidents increased not only in volume, but in severity as well, as seen by the number of Muslims who were violently attacked. Most troubling, during many of these hate incidents, the perpetrators recycled the same anti-Muslim slurs repeated daily in mainstream media.
The nation-wide Civil Rights Report has detailed findings, recommendations, and more information available for the community and allies. You can view it in its entirety online PDF version here.
With each passing year, our organization continues to grow and evolve in ways that reflect the needs of the community. However, one key truth remains consistent each and every year: our country was founded on the principle of religious freedom, and this means that no one should fear for their safety because of the color of their skin or how they pray. American Muslims share the same American values and freedoms that we hold as a nation, and as such, deserve the same opportunity to build better futures for our families.
We are at your service. If you see incidents of racial bias or hate incidents, report them to our office to seek free legal assistance ensure they are documented so that our community’s story is told. You can also request Know Your Rights and Bystander Intervention training to ensure you are prepared for various scenarios. Your active participation helps us continue to serve the American Muslim community each and every day.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sally Horna
CAIR-SFBA Legal Fellow