(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 4/22/2020) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called on state law enforcement authorities and the FBI to probe a death threat targeting the family of Muslim congressional candidate Amani al-Khatahtbeh.
On the evening of April 21, Al-Khatahtbeh reportedly received a phone call from an unknown number threatening to kill her and her family. She received the threat shortly after a virtual town hall she hosted on Instagram.
The caller said in part: “Your parents live at [address]. I will f**king kill them and. . .I will torture them and feed them bacon and f**king pork…As soon as you get off the phone, I’ll f**king go to his house…“Ni**er, you’re Muslim, you f**king ugly Arab Muslim. You terrorist.”
LISTEN TO DEATH THREAT: https://twitter.com/AMANI2020/status/1253019955681021954?s=20
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“The chilling death threat exemplifies how Muslim candidates are especially targeted during election cycles.
“We know Islamophobia follows election cycles and is often exacerbated and amplified by the negative rhetoric of political leaders.
“At a time in which our nation is facing an alarming rise in xenophobia, Islamophobia and racism, it is sadly no surprise to see such horrific calls. These death threats have become all too common for Muslim candidates, but we must not allow ourselves to be numbed by their frequency.
“Political leaders must denounce such hatred in order to protect the safety of Muslim Americans and all minority communities.”
Last year, CAIR welcomed the arrest of a New York man for threatening to assault and kill Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim Congresswoman.
Video: CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Man Who Threatened to Kill Rep. Ilhan Omar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqhB9w25DPA
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance 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 proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, 862-264-9414 smaksut@cair.com
