TURNING ADVERSITY INTO OPPORTUNITY
CAIR-CT’S RAPID RESPONSE TO ISLAMOPHOBIA IN BRIDGEPORT
By Imran Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of Directors, CAIR-CT
Islamophobia- irrational fear that connotes a social anxiety, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslims and Islam- is at its highest level in America since the 9-11 tragedy. Islamophobia is fast becoming what anti-Semitism is for Judaism and Jews, rooted in hostility and intolerance towards religious and cultural beliefs and a religious or racial group.
The Council on American Islamic Relations has taken note of the fact that Islamophobia has taken a menacing national tone with hateful rhetoric, incendiary political statements and outright harassment of Muslims across the country.
On Friday, August 6th in Bridgeport, Connecticut about a dozen right-wing Christians, carrying placards and yelling "Islam is a lie," angrily confronted worshippers outside a Fairfield Avenue mosque. "Jesus hates Muslims," they screamed at worshippers arriving at the Masjid An-Noor mosque to prepare for the holy Month of Ramadan. One protester shoved a placard at a group of young children leaving the mosque. "Murderers," he shouted. SEE: Angry Protesters Descend on Conn. Mosque
The news story was picked up as soon as it hit the air (Saturday August 7th) by the CAIR National Media Director, Ibrahim Hooper, who immediately alerted Mongi Dhaouadi, the CAIR Connecticut Chapter Executive Director. Mongi confirmed the incident with Imam Hasan Abu-Naar in Bridgeport and issued a press release the same day. The CAIR press release was picked up by the news wires across the country including a Japanese media outlet. The media interest was sparked by the realization that the incident in Bridgeport is part and parcel of a national campaign that now threatens the first amendment rights and freedoms not only of Muslims, but indeed of all Americans. SEE Video coverage from nbcconnecticut.com
When the extremist group came back to
Bridgeport on Thursday, August 12th
the media was on high alert and present on site in force.
The entire incident was filmed and
Mongi
Dhaouadi was interviewed on radio and TV and was queried about the
apparent lack of response from City officials.
Soon thereafter on Friday, August 13th, the Mayor of Bridgeport made a personal appearance at
Masjid An-Noor after the
Jummah prayers and assured the Muslim congregation that the
Bridgeport community stands firmly against the shameful behavior and
hateful diatribe of the protesters. He also reconfirmed
his commitment to support the Muslim community to renovate the premises
to meet expansion needs.
The outpouring support for the Bridgeport Muslims from the non Muslim and interfaith community was overwhelming. Olga Shibtini- a Muslim from the Bridgeport community- organized an interfaith vigil including Jews and Christians to counter the extremist protesters. Civil Rights lawyers volunteered to explore legal recourse to ensure the safety of Muslims. Offers of support came from all over including an ex-marine who sent a personal letter to the Mayor urging him to ensure the safety of Muslim worshipers. Mongi Dhaouadi and Imam Kashif Abdul Rahman, CAIR-CT Board Member, were featured by the media at the Press Conference organized by MCCT and the Leadership Council in Hartford on Friday, August 13th.
There is little doubt that the Bridgeport incident is a microcosm of the Islamophobia problem that is turning epidemic in this country. Ignoring it, denying it or hoping that it will dissipate if we just lay low is not an option. CAIR-CT responded to the Bridgeport incident in a way that only CAIR- among all Muslim organizations- is best suited to do by virtue of our reach, credibility, and commitment.
CAIR is taking an integrated approach in combating Islamophobia at all
levels. This includes monitoring
incidents in the state and across the country, responding quickly and
effectively when it does happen, bring national focus to the ugliness of it in
context of the threat it poses to Muslims and the integrity of the American
democratic values, and to advocate for political action calling for responsible
behavior.
While responding to Islamophobia when it happens is important, by far the biggest remit for CAIR is to build awareness of Islamophobia amongst Muslims and train communities on how to prevent it. In the aftermath of the Bridgeport incident Mongi Dhaouadi worked tirelessly with the Muslim community leaders in Bridgeport to organize a Sharing Ramadan event (Flyer). The event was hosted by a coalition of Muslim organizations led by BICC and including MSA-Bridgeport, Al-Aziz Islamic Center, Masjid Al-Noor and the UB Masjid. Incidentally, this was the first time the entire Muslim community of Bridgeport joined hands to work on a project with CAIR-CT to foster good will and unity within and beyond. More than three hundred people packed the social room at the University of Bridgeport.
It is our hope that incidents such as that occurred in Bridgeport convinces you to care about CAIR. We need your support in kind of your time, talent and treasure. Your generosity enables us to do what we do. Our operational sustainability depends on the funds you donate to us. A response plan to an Islamophobic incident of the proportion that occurred at Bridgeport can easily cost us thousands of dollars. In addition, we have numerous civil rights cases that we are working on at any given time. We need your support to continue our commitment to turn adversity into opportunity.
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Thank you
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest non-profit Islamic Civil Rights and advocacy organization with regional offices nationwide and in Canada. The Connecticut Chapter of CAIR (CAIR-CT) was established in 2003 (see www.CAIR-CT.com ). The CAIR mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.