Media Advisory: Muslim Leaders, Elected Officials to Address Hate Incident at 2nd Brooklyn Mosque

Media Advisory
Muslim Leaders, Elected Officials to Address Hate Incident at 2nd Brooklyn Mosque

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 7/21/14) –- On Tuesday, July 22, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), along with other Muslim and civil rights organizations, will hold a noon news conference at the Islamic Center of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn in reaction to an incident on Sunday morning in which individuals holding Israeli flags out of a car window screamed at and antagonized worshippers in front of the mosque as worshippers gathered for morning prayers.

The perpetrators were seen on camera circling the mosque seven times as they taunted worshipers and screamed anti-Islamic slurs.

WHAT: News Conference at Brooklyn Mosque Targeted by Hate

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22, Noon

WHERE: Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, 6807 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique, 212-870-2002, 917-348-5220 (cell), E-Mail: skhalique@cair.com; Linda Sarsour,  917-306-3323 E-Mail:lindasarsour@gmail.com

"International events should never be used as a pretext to target Americans of any faith or background with hatred and intimidation," said CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique.

"All people deserve to attend religious services without fear of discrimination or intimidation. We have coexisted in peace with other communities in Bay Ridge and we want to keep it that way. We will not tolerate hate in this community." Dr. Husam Rimawi, Board Member, Islamic Society of Bay Ridge. 

Earlier today, CAIR-NY called on law enforcement authorities and public officials to investigate an alleged attack on Muslim worshippers on their way to prayers at another Brooklyn mosque as a possible hate crime.

SEE: CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslims Outside Mosque

CAIR-NY is a chapter of 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique, 212-870-2002 E-Mail: skhalique@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com