CAIR-NY Urges Probe of Bias Motive for Stabbing of Muslim Woman in Queens
(NEW YORK, N.Y., 9/1/16) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to investigate a possible bias motive for the stabbing death of a Muslim woman in Queens.
Nazma Khanam, 60, was fatally stabbed near her home Wednesday night. Khanam, who was wearing Islamic attire at the time of the stabbing, is the aunt of an NYPD officer. An NYPD official said no motive has been established for the killing.
SEE: Queens Woman, 60, Stabbed to Death Less Than Two Blocks From Her Home
Aunt of Muslim NYPD Officer Fatally Stabbed in Queens
“Because of the recent killings of Muslims in Queens, and because of the growing number of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide resulting from the increasing Islamophobia in American society, we urge the NYPD to investigate a possible bias motive for this murder,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.
Earlier this month, CAIR-NY welcomed the announcement of charges of murder in the first degree brought against the alleged killer of a Queens imam (religious leader) and his associate. CAIR-NY similarly urged the NYPD and the district attorney to continue the investigation of a possible hate motive in that case.
SEE: CAIR-NY Welcomes Charges Against Alleged Killer of Queens Imam and Associate, Urges Hate Crime Probe
Also this month, CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter welcomed the district attorney’s addition of hate crime charges against Stanley Vernon Majors for allegedly fatally shooting his next door neighbor, 37-year-old Khalid Jabara, on August 12. The Jabara family reported multiple incidents of harassment, threats ,and other attacks on their ethnicity and perceived religion, including calling them “Dirty Arabs,” “filthy Lebanese,” “Aye-rabs,” and “Moos-lems.”
SEE: CAIR-OK Welcomes Hate Crime Charges in Khalid Jabara Shooting
CAIR has noted a spike in anti-Muslim discrimination and hate crimes in recent months, which the civil rights groups attributes at least in part to Islamophobic rhetoric used by public figures like Donald Trump.
SEE: Video: CAIR-MN, Muslim Leaders Condemn Donald Trump's Islamophobic Rhetoric
CAIR Asks Feds to Probe Threats to Maine Muslims
CAIR-Dallas, Muslim Leaders to Welcome Arrest of Hate Caller Who Threatened Mosque Worshipers
Video: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslim Mother, Daughter
MN: Brazen Vandal Damages Islamic Center Sign
Massachusetts Man Wanted to Attack Mosque and Kill Obama, FBI Says
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim 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.
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com