Randall G. Heath, 29, of Salem, Ala., was arrested and charged with a hate-crime assault, a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine, for the June 17 attack in which he allegedly shouted insults at four men walking to the Islamic Center of Central Missouri in Columbia, Mo.
The men, one of whom was wearing tradition attire called a “dishdasha,” said Heath circled the block four times and reportedly shouted insults each time. Heath allegedly punched one of the men in the arm and drove away.
SEE: Alabama Man Arrested at Courthouse on Suspicion of Hate Crime
“We welcome the hate crime charge in this case and thank all those involved in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator,” said CAIR-St. Louis Executive Director Faizan Syed. “We believe this case is yet another example of the rising Islamophobia faced by the American Muslim community.”
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CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-St. Louis Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-330-2946, 636-207-8882, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.