CAIR-NY Publishes 2022 Report Documenting Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers
(NEW YORK, NY, 9/08/2022) —The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today announced the publication of its 2022 hate crimes report, “Feeling the Hate: Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers,” which documents the various forms of bias and hate crimes that Muslim New Yorkers have experienced.
The report is the result of a survey in which 295 Muslims residing in the five boroughs of New York City were asked a variety of questions regarding their experiences with bias and hate crimes, reporting to law enforcement, and reasons of underreporting by the Muslim community.
Speakers at the press conference were: Ahmed Mohamed (CAIR-NY); Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Council Member Shahana Hanif; Hassan Naveed (OPHC); Israa Ismail (AAANY); Viomo Emmanuel (Deputy Chief of Staff AM Charles Fall) Abdul Hakeem (Masjid Taqwa); Daphne Thammasila (AAF); Dr. Abdus Salam Musa (ICNA); Abdullah Akl (MAS NY); Mahmudul Hassan (MUNA)
Video: CAIR-NY Publishes Hate Crimes Report on Bias, Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers
Some key findings include:
64% of Muslims have experienced a hate crime, bias incident, or both.
66% believed that they were targeted because of their religion.
Only 4% of those who experienced a hate crime reported it to law enforcement because they either do not trust law enforcement or feel it is not productive to report to such agencies.
34% of bias and hate crimes occurred in educational institutions.
75% of Muslim women have experienced a hate crime, bias incident, or both.
READ THE FULL REPORT: https://www.cair-ny.org/feeling-the-hate-full-report
Access graphics for social media and media coverage:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yphOFIh5f6KtkSgsc26raWrDmOhGuDdw?usp=sharing
Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:
“Thank you to all of our partners in the fight against anti-Muslim hate. CAIR-NY is committed to working with government and community organizations to push back against the bigotry that is targeting all communities. We also need elected officials like Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Shahana Hanif to continue holding law enforcement accountable for their unlawful surveillance of our communities.
“We sincerely hope that this report will be a catalyst for substantive change that will not only improve relations between law enforcement agencies and the American Muslim community but will also empower Muslims to practice their religion fearlessly and speak out confidently whenever they are targeted. Additionally, “Feeling the Hate” provides elected officials with a roadmap to tackle the hate impacting marginalized communities. Statements of support are welcomed but we need to see bold action too. City Council must increase funding for community-based organizations and enhance anti-discrimination laws to protect Muslims from rampant banking discrimination.”
CAIR-NY Legal Director Ahmed Mohamed stated:
“Institutional and systematic surveillance of Muslim New Yorkers has resulted in extremely low levels of reporting of hate crimes with only 4% of Muslims reporting incidents to law enforcement. This report confirms CAIR-NY’s long-standing belief that Muslims hold a deep distrust of law enforcement and offers the NYPD and elected officials with recommendations to regain the trust of Muslims and New Yorkers at large. Without transparency and accountability, the NYPD will continue failing in rebuilding relations with the Muslim community.
“The need for the City Council to mandate a religious diversity curriculum for the department of education is underscored by the fact that 34% of bias incidents and hate crimes occur in educational institutions. Even twenty-one years after the tragic 9/11 attacks, we continue to witness disturbing incidents like students being called ‘terrorists’ or young Muslim girls having their headscarves removed in the classroom. Hate must be tackled at an early age and the City Council has the power to do it.”
Asad Dandia, CAIR-NY’s previous Community Program Coordinator and the report’s co-author, said:
“This report illustrates what many Muslim New Yorkers have stated for a long time, namely that anti-Muslim racism has continued to manifest itself in subtle and overt ways over two decades after 9/11. And yet, whether the bigotry is interpersonal or institutional, Muslim New Yorkers will persist in our pursuit of justice for all. It is our hope that legislators, local institutions, community organizations, and individuals will take note of the findings in this report and work to implement necessary changes to dismantle anti-Muslim racism completely, so that Muslims and non-Muslims alike can flourish together.”
“We must continue to root out hate in every corner of our city,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “For decades, Muslim New Yorkers have been targeted by bias incidents. CAIR-NY’s report underscores the importance of taking actions to prevent hate and supporting all communities that experience it. As a city, we must ensure government is accessible, transparent, and welcoming to support and safeguard communities targeted by hate, and promote community-based partnerships. I look forward to working with all stakeholders and partners to achieve this together.”
On Twitter, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams stated:
“We were proud to stand with CAIR New York as they unveiled their Bias and Hate Crimes Report. Some of the numbers in this report are shocking. The Muslim community is an integral part of NYC, and we must make sure every New Yorker is accepted, appreciated, and encouraged.”
SEE: https://twitter.com/nycpa/status/1567935968837267456
“This report shows we still have much work to do to combat the hate and bias that is all too often experienced by our Muslim brothers and sisters,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I commend CAIR-NY for proposing some constructive ways to address this pervasive problem. Hate crimes will not be tolerated in Queens or anywhere in New York.”
New York Assembly Member Charles Fall (Staten Island 61st District) stated:
“Although I am troubled with the continued spike in hate crimes against our Muslim brothers and sisters, I’m glad to see that its being reported by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. One act of hate is one to many acts of hate, whether against a race, religion or sex orientation, these acts should not and will not be tolerated in our communities.
“During my tenure as a State Assemblyman, I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on passing legislation and budget allocations to prevent hate crimes here in New York State. I plan to continue my work with organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations, community, religious and law enforcement leaders to prevent these acts from happening against innocent and law-abiding residents,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.
"Since the pandemic hit us in January 2020, the Asian community has been living in fear as we continue to grapple with anti-Asian violence. But we are not alone - these attacks and bias incidents have been happening to our Muslim brothers and sisters too. From CAIR’s latest report, we know that 64% of Muslims have experienced a bias incident or a hate crime. It’s thanks to CAIR-NY and all of our Hope Against Hate grantees, that our communities have fierce advocates who have come together to not only collect and release important data on the attacks on our community but also equip us with tools to protect ourselves from this unrelenting violence. We’re proud to stand in solidarity with CAIR today. As this crisis continues the solution is for us to protect and care for each other as we continue to make real investments in our communities.” Daphne Thammasila, Associate Director of Programs, Asian American Federation.
CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging racial supremacy, religious bigotry, xenophobia, and all other forms of hatred.
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com