MD MUSLIM ACTIVIST’S CARS TARGETED BY VANDALS

Family that suffered past bias attacks has six tires punctured

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/11/07) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported today that vandals targeted two vehicles of a Muslim activist in Maryland whose family has suffered bias attacks over a number of years.

Samira Hussein of Gaithersburg, Md., reported to CAIR that six tires on two family vehicles were punctured sometime early this morning. Gaithersburg police told Hussein, a Palestinian-American, that the damage was inflicted with a double-edged knife.

Hussein’s family has been targeted by hate a number of times in recent years. In 1998, an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with a hate crime for vandalizing two cars owned by the family. Other incidents included family vehicles being marked with graffiti such as Nazi swastikas, “go home” and “pig.”

“Given the past history of bias attacks on this family, we call on local and national law enforcement authorities to investigate this disturbing incident as a possible hate crime,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.