CAIR-NY:

Brooklyn Resident Threatens to Bomb Mosque Muslim civil rights group asks FBI, NYPD to investigate threat

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/28/10) --

The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today reported a threat made Sunday to bomb a proposed mosque in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and called on elected officials to publicly repudiate the growing bigotry toward mosques and community centers in New York City.

CAIR-NY also called on the FBI and local law enforcement authorities to investigate the alleged threat.

The Brooklyn Paper reported that a protester at an anti-mosque rally threatened violence in an effort to block a planned Islamic community center in the neighborhood. The newspaper quoted one of the protesters, who said: "If they build a mosque there, I'm going to bomb the mosque...I will give them a lot of trouble...They're not going to stay here alive."

SEE: Hate-Filled Rally to Stop Mosque (Brooklyn Paper)

"New York City mosques and centers are a reflection of a well-integrated Muslim community," said CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director and Brooklyn resident Faiza Ali. "The silence from elected officials in the face of such outrageously racist and violent remarks is tacit approval of hatred against an entire religious minority."

Ali said CAIR-NY has reached out to the FBI, the New York Police Department (NYPD), New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the Brooklyn Borough president's office about the threat.

She noted that a mosque in Jacksonville, Fla., was recently the target of a bomb attack and that a Houston radio host called for the bombing of a proposed mosque and community center in New York City.

SEE: Fla. Mosque Attack Called Terrorism CAIR Video: Texas Talk Show Host Under Fire for Mosque Bomb Remark

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties group. 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.

CONTACT:

CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, 212-870-2002, 718-724-3041,

E-Mail: fali@cair.com;

CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268,

E-Mail: alatif@cair.com;

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com;

CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171,

E-Mail: arubin@cair.com