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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com;
CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, alatif@cair.com;
CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171 arubin@cair.com

CAIR: NY Cabbie Stabbed After Asked 'Are You Muslim?'

Muslim civil rights group asks leaders to repudiate Islamophobia

WASHINGTON

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on
religious and political leaders to repudiate Islamophobia following an
attack on a New York taxi driver who was allegedly stabbed by a
passenger who had asked him if he was Muslim.

According to media reports, a 21-year-old man hailed a cab in
Manhattan on Monday night. He reportedly asked the driver "Are you
Muslim?" and when the driver said yes, the man slashed him with a knife
on the throat, arm and face. The driver stopped the cab and approached a
police officer, who arrested the attacker. The attacker has since been
charged with attempted murder as a hate crime, assault, aggravated
harassment and criminal possession of a weapon.

SEE: Man Is Held in Anti-Muslim Stabbing of Cabdriver (NY Times)
Police: Cab Driver Stabbed By Passenger Who Asked 'Are You Muslim?' (NY1)
Anti-Islam Ads Removed from Chicago Taxis

"As other American minorities have experienced, hate speech
often leads to hate crimes," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad
Awad. "Sadly, we've seen how the deliberate public vilification of
Islam can lead some individuals to violence against innocent people.
It's time for responsible leaders to speak up to stop irresponsible and
inflammatory rhetoric."

Awad encouraged actions such as those taken by interfaith
leaders in Connecticut, who held a vigil yesterday at the First
Congregational Church in Stamford, Conn., in a display of unity and
solidarity with the Muslim community.

SEE: Members of All Faiths Gather in Support of Islam (CT Post)
CT: Interfaith Vigil Urges Religious Tolerance

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

(202) 488-8787