(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., 2/14/17) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called for increased security for Muslim students after a poster calling for a “Muslim-Free America” was found yesterday taped to the wall of a building on the Rutgers University campus that is used by Muslim students for programs and daily prayers.
The poster has been reported to the Chancellor of the University and the Rutgers University Police are investigating the incident.
“The hatred and the implicit call for genocide targeting American Muslims exhibited in this poster must not be tolerated,” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director James Sues. “All Americans must be able to practice their faith and worship as they choose without fear of harassment or intimidation. The diversity of the student body at Rutgers University has long been a source of pride and inspiration, and the University administration must not allow narrow-minded bigots to tarnish its reputation and intimidate its students.”
He added that an identical poster had also been found on the University of Texas campus.
SEE: Anti-Muslim flier at UT being taken down
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/anti-muslim-flier-being-taken-down/KCiySdbYvHBpBJW3hcWwwL/
Sues said that CAIR has noted an unprecedented spike in Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in recent months, and particularly since the November 8 election.
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 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 at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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Updated 2/15/17: A statement from Rutgers reads: “The contents of the flyer, which was also posted elsewhere nationwide, violates the values and ideals for which Rutgers stands. We strongly condemn this speech and are appalled that our Muslim community was targeted in this way,”Read More: Anti-Muslim posters found at Rutgers | http://nj1015.com/anti-muslim-posters-found-at-rutgers/?trackback=tsmclip
See Also: Rutgers University increases security after anti-Muslim flier surfaces
