MEDIA DIGEST: CAIR-Chicago's reaction to anti-Muslim attacks in Ill., Governor Pat Quinn Speaks Out
(CBS 2, ABC 7, NBC 5, Press TV, WGN Radio, Chicago Tribune, Daily News)
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See Recent Media Coverage Below:
CBS 2: Police in Lombard investigating attack at Islamic school
The Lombard, Ill. police department are investigating an attack on the College Preparatory School of America – an Islamic school in this Chicago suburb. CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab responds.
CBS 2: Morton Grove man charged with firing rifle at nearby mosque
CBS 2 reports on Morton Grove man, David Conrad, being charged with firing a rifle at a nearby mosque. CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab comments.
ABC 7: Man charged after pellets fired at Morton Grove mosque
No one was wounded Friday, but a Muslim civil liberties group subsequently said the shots damaged an outer brick wall of the center. Worshippers inside reportedly heard the shots.“This is obviously an alarming situation,” said Ahmed Rehab, director of the Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “The weapon allegedly used in this incident is powerful enough to kill, and the projectiles reportedly came within inches of the head of the security guard on duty.”
NBC 5: Suspect arrested for firing BB shots at mosque
Police say they’ve arrested a man who lives near a mosque in north suburban Morton Grove, for firing a pellet rifle at the mosque Friday night while 500 people prayed inside. A U.S. Attorney, Morton Grove police and members of the FBI examined the building Saturday morning as the scene of a possible hate crime, according to a release about the incident from the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Press TV: Two deadly shots fired in mosque area
Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago executive director, talks about a shooting incident that happened near a mosque in Chicago, saying “two shots fired into a mosque area” by a deadly gun.
Governor Quinn statement on violent Crimes against Illinois Muslims
“I am saddened to learn of two recent violent crimes against Illinois Muslims in Morton Grove and Lombard. We should all be able to agree that there is no place in Illinois for hate crime and religious intolerance. No matter what faith you may practice, attacks on places of worship are just plain wrong and do not reflect the values of the people of Illinois.”
WGN Radio: Charges against Morton Grove man in connection with shooting at mosque
“This is obviously an alarming situation that all parties are taking very seriously,’’ said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab in the statement. According to Rehab, the projectiles reportedly came within inches of the head of the security guard on duty. Rehab said he toured the mosque site Saturday with Muslim community leaders and that an investigation is being done by local law enforcement officials.“We have full trust in the professionals handling this investigation. They are doing everything in their power to keep communities safe and ensure that justice is served,” said Rehab.
Chicago Tribune: Charges against Morton Grove man in connection
with shooting at mosque
“This is obviously an alarming situation that all parties are taking very seriously,’’ said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab in the statement. According to Rehab, the projectiles reportedly came within inches of the head of the security guard on duty.Rehab said he toured the mosque site Saturday with Muslim community leaders and that an investigation is being done by local law enforcement officials. “We have full trust in the professionals handling this investigation. They are doing everything in their power to keep communities safe and ensure that justice is served,” said Rehab.
Chicago Tribune: Islamic groups alarmed by suburban incidents
Islamic community leaders called for federal authorities to step in, saying they do not consider either case isolated. They believe Muslims were targeted in the past because of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “That was 11 years ago, and we are now seeing a sudden rise and more hate rhetoric,” Rehab said. “You even hear it from politicians and elected officials. Even though (they) might make a side note that most Muslims are good people, it creates a general atmosphere of hate, and some nut might go out and respond to it.”
NY Daily News: Man arrested for shooting at Chicago-area mosque
with pellet rifle as hundreds worship inside
A 51-year-old man has been arrested for shooting at a Chicago-area mosque with a pellet rifle Friday, as hundreds prayed inside, authorities said. No one was harmed during the shooting, though CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said that the pellets allegedly came within inches of the guard’s head. “When elected officials, trusted by many, indicate that the enemy could be any Muslim living in your neighborhood, it gives rise to xenophobic vigilantism where fearful citizens target other Americans for simply looking different,” Rehab said.
Donate securely today, online or by phone. To donate by phone, call: 312-212-1520.
CAIR-Chicago is Zakat-eligible and tax-deductible. To support us, href="https://www.cairchicago.org/make-a-donation-form/" target="new">click here.