The Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports that these past weeks since the San Bernardino and Paris attacks, there has been a significant rise in Islamophobic hate crimes including, as MSNBC reports, “bomb threats, an alleged attack on a Muslim store owner in New York City by a customer who reportedly said ‘I’ll kill Musims’, a hijab-wearing Muslim sixth grader who was allegedly attacked by schoolmates who called her ‘ISIS,’ and a severed pig’s head left at a Philadelphia mosque.”
Corey Saylor, the national legislative director of CAIR, fears things that things can get even worse in light of Donald Trump’s “plan” to ban Muslims from entering into the States. “Trump is putting oil on what already was a bonfire,” retorts Saylor.
Matt Duss, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, comments that there is “no leader in the Republican party playing the responsible adult.” Granted, there are Republicans speaking out against Trump’s rhetoric, but Duss makes the point that not one GOP candidate has defended the Muslim community, and spoken out on the sheer basis of morality and human decency.
Saba Ahmed, president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition, said she’s “absolutely appalled by Trump’s anti-Islamic sentiment and unconstitutional plans.” Ms. Ahmed added, “He’s just trying to play on people’s fears to increase his poll numbers.”
