(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 8/23/2016) — The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today welcomed the district attorney’s addition of hate crime charges against Stanley Vernon Majors to the original charges of first degree murder, firearm possession after a previous felony and threatening a violent act.
SEE: Murder Charge Filed in Shooting Death of Khalid Jabara
http://ktul.com/news/local/murder-charge-filed-in-shooting-death-of-khalid-jabara
Video: CNN International Interviews CAIR-OK Rep About Alleged Hate Crime Murder of Arab-American
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUOVdtP3Qw
Majors is accused of fatally shooting his next door neighbor, 37-year-old Khalid Jabara, on August 12. The Jabara family reported multiple incidents of harassment, threats ,and other attacks on their ethnicity and perceived religion, including calling them “Dirty Arabs,” “filthy Lebanese,” “Aye-rabs,” and “Moos-lems.” In 2015, Majors ran down and struck Haifa Jabara with his car, causing her serious injuries and forcing her to undergo multiple surgeries and rehabilitation periods.
“We welcome the news that Majors will be charged with a hate crime under Oklahoma law,” said Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure. “We stand by victims of racial or religious attacks and hope that Khalid’s family will get justice for their loss. We also hope that this tragic incident will galvanize the Oklahoma community into reforms that will protect victims of violent crimes and prevent something like this from ever occurring again.”
At the time of the shooting, Majors was awaiting trial for the 2015 assault on Haifa Jabara with his car. Khalid Jabara held a Victim’s Protective Order, or VPO, against Majors following several years of abusive and harassing language. Majors had reportedly also harassed other residents of his neighborhood, including multiple uses of the n-word and other derogatory language against Latino/Hispanic residents.
Khalid Jabara: Victim of Hate and Negligence
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-zogby/khalid-jabara-victim-of-h_b_11616108.html
Crimes against individuals who are perceived as Middle Eastern or Muslim have spiked across the country and in Oklahoma.
SEE: CAIR-OK Welcomes Hate Crime Probes of Attack on Gas Station Clerk Called ‘Terrorist’
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13560-cair-seeks-stepped-up-police-protection-for-colorado-mosque-targeted-by-apparent-threat.html
CAIR-OK Welcomes Stepped-Up Security After Threats to Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13395-cair-ok-welcomes-stepped-up-security-after-threats-to-oklahoma-muslim-day-at-the-capitol.html
In Norman, Okla., last year, a man called 911 stating his intention to “start shooting anything that looks like a Muslim,” prompting evacuation of the nearby Islamic Center of Norman.
SEE: Officers Shoot Norman Man Who Called 911 Threatening to Shoot Muslims
http://www.news9.com/story/30532340/officers-shoot-norman-man-who-called-911-threatening-to-shoot-muslims
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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CONTACT: CAIR Oklahoma Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure, 405-430-9877, vlaizure@cair.com; CAIR Oklahoma Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, asoltani@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com