CAIR-NY Urges FBI to Join Hate Crime Probe of Attack on NY Muslim by Assailants Shouting ‘ISIS’

(NEW YORK, NY, 1/17/16) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the FBI to join the hate crime investigation of an attack on a Muslim in that state by assailants reportedly shouting “ISIS” during the beating.

Police say the 43-year-old Muslim was attacked Friday in the Bronx borough of New York City by two men who yelled "ISIS, ISIS" after attacking the victim from behind while he was walking with his niece.

The victim, who is of Bangladeshi heritage and was wearing traditional Muslim attire, was reportedly punched several times in the head and kicked after he fell to the ground. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released. Friday’s attack is being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.

SEE: Man in Muslim Garb Beaten by Pair Who Shouted ‘ISIS! ISIS!’ in Bronx

Attackers Yell 'ISIS, ISIS' During Hate-Crime Beating: Police

“The FBI should add its resources to the investigation of this disturbing incident in order to send a clear message to bigots that attacks on American Muslims will not be tolerated and that perpetrators of such attacks will face the full weight of the law,” said CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique.

Last week, CAIR called on the FBI and state law enforcement authorities to investigate the desecration and attempted vandalism of a Nebraska mosque as a possible hate crime.

SEE: CAIR Seeks FBI Hate Crime Probe of Desecration, Attempted Vandalism at Nebraska Mosque

Last month, CAIR-NY called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the FBI to investigate as a possible hate crime an attack on a Muslim store owner.

SEE: CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslim Store Owner

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, the San Bernardino shootings and the anti-Muslim rhetoric of public figures like Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

CAIR is urging American Muslims and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions and is offering Muslim community leaders free copies of its booklet, "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety." The booklet may be requested through CAIR's website: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is also 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.

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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