CAIR Condemns Terror Attack on Canadian Mosque, Urges U.S. Muslims to Take Security Measures

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a terror attack on a Canadian mosque by a suspect who had expressed anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments on social media. Six worshipers were killed in the attack and 17 others were wounded.

SEE: Alleged Anti-Immigrant Suspect Held in Quebec Mosque Shooting
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/01/30/quebec-canada-mosque-attack-terrorism/97233660/

"This terror attack must be repudiated by all those who are promoting and exploiting the growing Islamophobia in North America," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "We offer our prayers and condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in this cowardly terror attack."

Hooper also urged American Muslim leaders and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions and is offering Muslim community leaders free copies of its booklet, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety." The booklet may be requested through CAIR's website: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

Drafted by a leading security consultant, it seeks to better equip the community with the knowledge necessary to protect against racial and religious bigotry or attacks. The booklet was produced in response to recent bias attacks targeting American Muslim institutions.

A soon-to-be-published CAIR report on Islamophobia in America is expected to show that 2016 was the worst year on record for incidents in which mosques were targets of bias.

CAIR-Sacramento Urges FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism Targeting Davis Mosque
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14033-cair-sacramento-urges-fbi-to-probe-hate-vandalism-targeting-davis-mosque.html

CAIR's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., has noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election.

The Washington-based civil rights and advocacy organization is asking community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html     

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.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com  

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-condemns-terror-attack-on-canadian-mosque-urges-us-muslims-to-take-security-measures-300399015.html

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)