The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is calling for a thorough investigation by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) into a possible hate crime after the discovery of what appears to be a series of bullet holes at the Muslim Community Center (MCC).

This targeted act of violence, which occurred over the past week, appears to be yet another attack aimed at the Muslim community.  

Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:

It’s unclear what the source of what look like bullet holes is, whether a gun, a BB gun, or something else, but what seems clear is that the person who inflicted this damage on a Muslim house of worship did not come in peace. This attack is not just on a building; it is an attack on the Muslim community’s safety and right to worship freely.

The Muslim community has been left deeply concerned by this discovery, which follows a worrying rise in Islamophobic attacks nationwide. Authorities have begun their investigation, but initial reports categorize the incident as property damage.

SEE MORE: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Probe of Incidents Targeting Palestinians, Files Complaint with Office of Police Accountability

CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Joseph Milburn added:

This is the second attack on Muslim property in recent days that the police have chalked down as mere destruction of property; hate motivation should not be ruled out without a thorough investigation.”

He urged all houses of worship to refer to CAIR’s Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety guide, which contains security advice applicable to institutions of all faiths. 

Mosque administration, who discovered the bullet holes, reported the incidents to both local police and the FBI. CAIR-Chicago advised enhancing security cameras and protocols, which MCC has already implemented. While urging the community not to panic, officials have assured there is no imminent threat at this time but encouraged everyone to remain vigilant.

CAIR-Chicago is working closely with MCC and community leaders to ensure the safety of Muslim institutions across the city. The organization urges authorities to take swift action and calls for greater public awareness of the growing threats to religious communities.

Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year. 

From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming complaints, a sixty-nine percent increase over the same period in 2023.

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

ENDCONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Maggie Slavin, Operations Manager of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, mslavin@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

Al Enteshar Newspaper

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