CAIR-NY: Muslim Parents Call Beating of Son a Hate Crime

CAIR-NY Seeks Probe of Bias Motive in School Beating

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 6/15/2009) The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on school officials and law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the beating of a Muslim student by a classmate.

The parents of the 14-year-old Staten Island student say that during the beating, their sons assailant said he hates Arabs and hates his religion. Police say the attacker used the slurs simply to instigate a fight, not as a motive for the attack, but the victim's parents believe it was a hate crime.

SEE: NY Muslim Parents Call Beating of Son a Hate Crime (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwqeJI5rCD4

Given the allegations of racial and religious slurs used during the assault, it is important that a possible bias motive be taken into consideration and that appropriate action be taken by school officials and law enforcement authorities, said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif. Students of all faiths and ethnicities should feel that a school is a safe environment for learning.

Latif said CAIR offers a booklet, called An Educators Guide to Islamic Religious Practices, designed to promote diversity and accommodate Muslims students in educational institutions.

SEE: An Educators Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/education_guide.pdf

CAIR, Americas largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, E-Mail: alatif@cair.com; CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, 212-870-2002, 718-724-3041, E-Mail: fali@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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