CAIR News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate fires set at an Albuquerque mosque as a possible hate crime.

Surveillance video shows a woman setting multiple fires Monday morning near the prayer hall of the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Mosque members believe the fires were started by a woman who came to the center last week expressing hostility.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the FBI or Albuquerque Police Department.

Surveillance video shows woman setting fires at Islamic Center of New Mexico: https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/surveillance-video-shows-woman-setting-fires-at-albuquerque-islamic-center/6320621/

“Given recent hate incidents targeting mosques and prominent American Muslims, New Mexico law enforcement authorities and the FBI should investigate a possible bias motive for this incident,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said. “Silence and inaction in the face of growing hate nationwide only provides encouragement to bigots targeting all minority communities.” 

CAIR is urging houses of worship to take extra security precautions using its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet. The advice in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to religious institutions of all faiths. The booklet may be viewed at: https://www.cair.com/mosque-and-community-safety/.

CAIR’s stated mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice and empower American Muslims.