CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Threat to Muslim Sisters by ‘Postal Worker’

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 11/23/15) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the FBI to investigate as a possible hate crime an alleged threat to two Muslim women by a man wearing a U.S. Postal Service uniform and identifying himself as a postal worker.

The two women (who are sisters) and an infant were allegedly approached Friday evening in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, by a postal worker who shouted obscenities and reportedly said, "I am going to burn your 'f**king' temple." He allegedly elbowed one of the women and spat in her face while she was waiting to cross the street. The man followed her across the street and called the other Muslim woman a “n**ger” and said, "I am not crazy, I am a postal worker." 

The two women walked into a corner store with the man still following them. Inside the store, he reportedly continued threatening to burn their “temple” and even began shouting at the infant.

“We ask U.S. Postal Service investigators, the NYPD and federal officials to investigate this threat as a hate crime and to file charges that reflect the seriousness of the incident,” said CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique.

Last week, CAIR-NY’s office was informed several similar hate incidents targeting Muslim women.

Earlier today, CAIR’s Cincinnati chapter called on the FBI and local law enforcement authorities to investigate a bias motive for an alleged attempt to run down a Muslim woman.

CAIR-Cincinnati: Muslim Student Nearly Run Over by Man Who Called Her a Terrorist

Today, CAIR’s San Diego chapter is taking part in a rally against Islamophobia after an alleged attack on a Muslim woman university student.

Video: CAIR-San Diego to Join Anti-Islamophobia Rally After Bias Attack on Student

Also today, CAIR’s Massachusetts chapter called for increased police protection at local mosques because of a spike in anti-Muslim rhetoric and direct threats against Muslim houses of worship nationwide since the recent Paris terror attacks.

SEE: CAIR-MA Calls for Increased Police Protection of Local Mosques

These incidents fit a pattern of increased hate-motivated crimes and bias incidents nationwide targeting persons and property associated, or perceived to be associated, with Islam and the American Muslim community since the Paris attacks.

CAIR: A Running List of Shameful Islamophobic Acts Since the Paris Attacks

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 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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique 914-266-2122, skhalique@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com