(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 1/3/14) — The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to bring hate crime charges against a Tulsa man arrested for hitting a woman and vandalizing her vehicle while repeatedly calling her a “f—ing Muslim b—-.”
Stuart D. Manning, 43, who has been charged at the state level with hate crime/malicious intimidation, assault and battery and malicious injury to property, allegedly hit the woman in the forehead and stuck a knife in a tire on her vehicle.
Police describe the alleged victim as being from Lebanon and having “a thick Middle Eastern accent.” The Police report also states: “At the time of the assault she was wearing a head wrap. She has the appearance of someone that typically is of the Islamic faith.”
SEE: Tulsa Man Arrested in Alleged Hate Crime (Tulsa World)
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/tulsa-man-arrested-in-alleged-hate-crime/article_05810d06-a269-5ebc-b387-a102c82f1080.html
Man Accused of Religious Hate Crime Against Woman He Believes is Muslim
http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/man-accused-religious-hate-crime-against-woman-he-/ncbfx/
“Just as the Justice Department rightfully brought hate crime charges following a racist ‘knockout’ attack in Texas, we hope similar charges will be considered in this troubling case,” said CAIR-OK Development Coordinator Thomaira Babbit.
CAIR’s Houston chapter recently hosted an event with community activists who gathered to condemn the “knockout” attack in Texas.
CAIR: Houston Activists Come Together to Condemn ‘Knockout Game’ (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgMrbAdxKRE
Feds: ‘Knockout’ Attack Was a Hate Crime
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/26/justice/texas-knockout-charge/
In December, CAIR also called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism of a West Virginia mosque as a possible hate crime.
SEE: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism Targeting West Virginia Mosque
http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12295-cair-asks-fbi-to-probe-hate-vandalism-targeting-west-virginia-mosque.html
Yesterday, CAIR announced that representatives of its Michigan chapter will be featured in an upcoming HBO documentary on Islamophobia.
SEE: HBO Documentary on Islamophobia to Feature CAIR-MI Reps
http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12304-hbo-documentary-on-islamophobia-to-feature-cair-mi-reps.html
In response to previous attacks on American mosques, CAIR published a booklet called “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” designed to be used by mosque officials, Muslim school administrators and other community leaders and activists who seek to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities to bias-motivated attacks.
To request a free e-copy of CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety,” go to: http://www.cair.com/mosque-safety-guide.html
CAIR recently published a major report, “Legislating Fear: Islamophobia and its Impact in the United States,” which identifies 37 organizations dedicated to promoting the type of anti-Islam prejudice that can lead to bias-motivated incidents targeting American Muslims.
SEE: Legislating Fear: Islamophobia and its Impact in the United States
http://cair.com/islamophobia/legislating-fear-2013-report.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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-OK Board Chairman Saad Mohammed, 405-210-4775, CAIR-OK Development Coordinator Thomaira Babbit, tbabbit@cair.com, 405-415-6851, 405-326-0239;, CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani, 405-248-5853, asoltani@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com