Community Alert: Chicago Muslims respond to developments in Boston marathon bombings

Press conference to be held at CAIR-Chicago

(CHICAGO, 4/19/2013) — The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) announced this morning that a group of Muslim and interfaith leaders will hold a press conference at 1:00PM today in response to the latest developments in the investigation of the Boston marathon bombings. In light of reports of retaliatory acts against Muslims that range from harassment to violent attacks, we are calling on mosques in the Illinois area to be on high alert for suspicious activity at Friday prayers.

WHAT: News Conference on developments in Boston marathon bombings

WHEN: Friday, April 19, 1:00 pm

WHERE: Azima Center at CAIR-Chicago, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602

WHO: CAIR-Chicago, CIOGC (Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago), JCUA (Jewish Council on Urban Affairs), Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, The Mosque Foundation, MyJihad

"Since news of the Boston bombing and the impending carnage broke out, Muslims, just as with every other group of Americans, have been vocal in their condemnations and offerings of sympathy both through their representative organizations and via Facebook, Twitter, and Social media," said Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago.

"Our hearts and our prayers remain with the victims of this act of senseless violence."

"Having received reports of sporadic attacks that range from verbal harassment to violence against Muslims in the past couple of days, we are obliged to ask our Mosques and community members to stay on high security alert - particularly during Friday prayer. The majority of our fellow Americans have united as one, refusing to let terror divide us, but unfortunately there are those who will exploit the situation to extend the individual culpability of the bombers to collective guilt against their entire faith community."

"We are grateful to our law enforcement officials for their hard work in resolving the case and keeping Americans safe."

Please be sure to report any incidents in Illinois to CAIR-Chicago at 312-212-1520.

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CAIR-Chicago is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.

CONTACT:

CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, arehab@cair.com312.212.1520 or 202.870.0166 (cell) CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator, Maryam Arain, marain@cair.com312.212.1520