--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--

CAIR: Racist Slurs Used During Attack on NY Muslim
CAIR-NY ‘welcomes’ hate crime charges brought against alleged perpetrator

(NEW YORK, NY, 10/6/09) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed hate crime charges brought against a man who allegedly used racist slurs during an attack in Queens, N.Y., on a Long Island Muslim woman.

According to the alleged victim, who wears an Islamic head scarf, the perpetrator pulled
alongside her vehicle on a local parkway, spat on it, and shouted, “Dumb f***ing Pakistani! Go back to your country!”

The attacker then reportedly sped up his car, cut into the victim’s lane and stopped in front of her in an attempt to collide with her vehicle. He then allegedly got out of his car, approached the victim and struck her hand, causing her to drop her cell phone, which she was using to speak to a 911 operator. At that point, the alleged perpetrator got back into his car and drove away. The incident took place in front of the victim's three young children.

The attacker was later arrested and will reportedly be charged with assault in the third degree, harassment in the first degree as a hate crime and harassment in the second degree. CAIR-NY is in contact with law enforcement authorities and will continue to monitor the case.

“Attacks motivated by racial or religious hatred must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law to serve as both a legal deterrent and a public repudiation of intolerance,” said CAIR-NY Civil
Rights Director Aliya Latif, who is in contact with the victim. “We welcome the prosecutor’s decision to address the apparent bias motive of the alleged attacker.”

Latif also called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether federal civil rights charges may be brought in this case.

Last month, CAIR expressed concern about a “spike” in reports of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide during or just prior to the month of Ramadan.

SEE: CAIR Concerned by 'Spike' in Anti-Muslim Incidents in Ramadan
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS168015+10-Sep-2009+PRN20090910
SEE ALSO: IL College Sued by Muslim Teacher Alleging Discrimination
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-university-suit-06-oct06,0,1748893.story

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 Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, E-Mail: alatif@cair.com; CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, 212-870-2002, 718-724-3041, E-Mail: fali@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com.