Religious Slurs Used During Assault on Texas Muslim (white convert to Islam attacked by coworkers)

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS206373+10-Jun-2009+PRN20090610



Religious Slurs Used During Assault on Texas Muslim
Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:10pm EDT


CAIR asks that attack be probed as hate crime, seeks protection for victim

WASHINGTON, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on law enforcement authorities in Texas to
investigate an alleged assault on a Muslim in that state as a hate crime.

The alleged victim, a 34-year-old white convert to Islam, reported to CAIR
that two former co-workers came to his Gilmer, Texas, home after midnight on
Saturday and punched, choked and kicked him without provocation. During the
assault, the alleged attackers reportedly used religious slurs such as, "You
Muslim piece of sh*t," "Pray to Allah mother f**ker," and "You are a traitor
... We're at war with these people." At one point during the alleged assault,
the victim says he felt the barrel of a gun pressed to his head.

As the attackers left, they allegedly threatened to harm him again if he
called the police. He was reportedly told by one assailant, "If I can't get
you, my people will." The victim has since moved out of his home in response
to this threat.

The FBI and local police are investigating the incident, but local authorities
have not labeled it a hate crime.

"Because of the religious slurs reportedly used during this attack, and the
alleged threat to the victim's life, we urge law enforcement authorities to
investigate a possible bias motive and to offer police protection," said CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "These incidents can be the
unfortunate result of the crude stereotypes of Islam that President Obama
rejected recently in his Cairo address."

SEE: CAIR Calls President's Cairo Speech 'Comprehensive, Balanced and
Forthright'
http://tinyurl.com/nbjds4

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, has
35 offices and 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.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787,
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com



SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; or Amina
Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com; both of Council on
American-Islamic Relations

I wanted to thank you, marmar, for posting this article. I happen to know the gentleman that was targeted during this assault. He is a great asset to his religious community, supporting a local organizer that reaches out to Muslims in prison, and those that are displaced and need a home. It breaks my heart to know that he actually had a gun pointed at his head, literally seconds away from death. He is a very kind, respectful man that bothers no one.

As of 7am EST today, June 11th, I have been notified of only one local publication, The Gilmer Mirror, that has addressed this, but only on their website (the next publication will be printed on Saturday). If I may be so bold to solicit a request, it would be extremely helpful if any member on the Democratic Underground could contact the email addresses below:

karmen.kelley@countyofupshur.com
gladewatermirror@aol.com
pittgazette@etcnonline.com
news@dailytribune.net
cstewart@longview-news.com
award@longview-news.com
clane@longview-news.com
maryannmiller@winnsborotoday.com
news1@kilgorenewsherald.com
news2@kilgorenewsherald.com


The above are contacts of surrounding city news publications. All I ask is that you copy the article and link to the source, nothing else needs to be said. If you do feel like commenting though I humbly ask that no criticism of the attackers, authorities, or newspaper be included as this is a situation with Islam at its base. Those that support the victim should exhibit his peaceful qualities of compassion, tolerance, and patience that the Islamic etiquette demands of him in every situation.

God Willing, I will be able to reply to this thread again with good news.


I think I can easily speak for The Islamic Community of Gilmer, his family, friends, The Texas Prison Dawah Project, Akbar3000 Initiative, and the East Texas Islamic Society when I say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. It means more than words can express to see that one man in a small, unknown town is recognized during his time of strife.


Jessica Dawah - TPDP Coordinator

It is a pleasure to be here :D.

wish the MSM would pick this up..another hate crime by homegrown terrorists.

I wanted to update the situation. One of the radio hosts that I contacted has replied back, no other local news publications though. Finally, a local television news reporter interviewed the victim today. If you are in the Longview/Tyler area of East Texas or have viewing access to CBS19 KYTX it should be on the news this evening or tonight.

no matter what its an assault, but id like to hear all the story on why this happened, i just feel theres something missing here.

Why it happened is because the person being attacked is a Muslim. Sometimes it just doesn't get very complex.

This was extremely random, and took us all by surprise. Generally speaking, a fear of being targeted in such a violent way because you are Muslim was not something to expect or prepare for in Gilmer. To my knowledge, there wasn't even any warning signs. Obviously, there are some details not included as this is an ongoing investigation. The premises though is basically founded in the article.

I am so, so tired of this. :-(

But, of course, like their predecessors they were "just following orders."

Hopefully, these cowards won't.

Would probably claim that Islam is "a religion of hate" and that the Qu'ran "calls for the death of all infidels".

This shows me that:

1) The idiots have never read the Qu'ran.
2) They don't see how they're engaging in violence basically because of what they THINK their own Bible says, and don't know how much they have in common with radical Islamic terrorists.

<SIGH>

Rat bastard pieces of shit. :grr: