(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., 4/30/19) – The New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is urging Muslim communities in New Jersey to step up security during the month-long fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don) that begins on or about May 6.*
[*NOTE: Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary. Consult local Muslim communities for the beginning and end dates of Ramadan. The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” (eed-al-fitter) or Feast of the Fast-Breaking on or about June 4.]
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from before dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam.
Because many mosques hold special prayers and other activities during Ramadan, and because of recent anti-Muslim incidents in this country and overseas, CAIR is urging American Muslim leaders and Islamic institutions to take extra security precautions throughout the month.
CAIR New Jersey is urging mosques and other Islamic institutions to take measures outlined in its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet. Advice offered in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission
The booklet may be viewed at: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cairhq/pages/15191/attachments/original/1523597950/CAIR_Mosque_Safety_Guide.pdf?1523597950
Last week, CAIR expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the San Diego-area and nationwide within hours of a deadly shooting at a synagogue near that city.
SEE: CAIR Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Deadly San Diego Synagogue Attack
An open letter, posted online purportedly by the suspect in that attack, claims that he committed the arson attack last month on a mosque near Escondido, CA and was inspired by the New Zealand mosque shooter. The open letter expressed a desire to defend the ‘European race’ and numerous anti-Semitic racial slurs and tropes targeting African Americans, Latinos, Arabs and Muslims.
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html
CAIR: Anti-Muslim Assaults Have Tripled Since a Decade Ago, FBI Stats Show
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/odd-fbi-case-highlights-impact-anti-muslim-bias/story?id=61761006
Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NJ’s Civil Rights Department at 908-668-5900 or by filing a report at: http://cair-nj.org/your-rights/report-an-incident.html
CAIR launched an app to share critical “know your rights” information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app
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.
La misión de CAIR 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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