Press Release: CAIR Condemns Vandalism of Three Chicago Area Synagogues

(CHICAGO, IL, 01/12/09) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today condemned the vandalism of three local synagogues this past weekend. The incidents occurred early Saturday morning and were carried out by two vandals who smashed windows and doors with rocks and bricks and spray-painted hateful words on the buildings' exterior walls.

SEE: Members of Jewish community protest hate crimes(ABC 7) http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6597345

"These attacks on houses of worship are disgraceful and intolerable," said CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Amina Sharif. "We hope the perpetrators of these crimes are found and brought to justice."

Sharif spoke with synagogue officials, rabbis, and friends in the Jewish community to express the Muslim community's sympathy and support in the wake of the attacks.

CAIR-Chicago is also joining with the Chairman of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Dana Starks, along with a host of community leaders from other organizations to issue a statement later this week calling for an elimination of hate crimes in the New Year.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 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.

- END - CONTACT: Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, (312) 212-1520 or (630) 935-5562 ; Reem Rahman, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, (217) 493-0912 E-Mail: communications@cairchicago.org