PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago Welcomes Hate Crime Charges for a Violent Racial Attack Targeting Man in Lombard
- For Immediate Release and Distribution -
(CHICAGO, IL, 3/15/26) — The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the filing of hate crime and aggravated battery charges against a suburban Chicago man accused of verbally harassing and spitting on a victim at Crave Cookies in Lombard, Illinois, while shouting "this is America, " I can't f**king stand you Indians" and “f*** Iran."
“We commend the resolute and swift action by the Lombard Police and the DuPage County State Attorney's office to arrest the perpetrator and bring hate crime charges in this disturbing incident,” said Hafsa Haider, Communications Director of CAIR-Chicago.
“No one should be targeted, harassed, or assaulted because of their perceived ethnicity, religion, or national origin. When bias-motivated attacks occur, it is critical that authorities respond decisively to send a clear message that hate and intimidation will not be tolerated in our communities.”
CAIR-Chicago added that Lombard's stated zero tolerance for hate crimes and racism can act as a gold standard for other area suburbs.
Ahmed Khan, victim of the attack (who permitted his name to be used) said: "Hate has no place in this world. I will not be silenced, and the community will not be silenced either. We as Muslims living in America deserve to live in peace and without fear."
CAIR-Chicago said the case highlights the importance of reporting hate incidents and ensuring they are properly investigated and prosecuted.
“We encourage anyone who experiences a hate incident to document what happened and seek support,”Haider added. “Holding perpetrators accountable is an important step toward protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring everyone can live without fear.”
Earlier this month, CAIR-Chicago welcomed hate crime and aggravated battery charges filed against a man accused of attacking multiple women in downtown Chicago.
CAIR-Chicago continues to urge anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate incident to report it to local authorities and to CAIR-Chicago at www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination.
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Director of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com