(ST. LOUIS, MO, 2/21/17) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri) and the Imam Council on Metropolitan St. Louis (ICMSTL) - a body that represents 18 Islamic Centers in the Metropolitan area - today condemned the vandalism targeting a historic Jewish cemetery in University City.The Imam Council will be encouraging Muslim congregations to donate money to help repair damages in the Jewish cemetery.
SEE: DONATE:Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery
Vandals Wreck Headstones at Historic Jewish Cemetery in St. Louis
In a statement, Imam Mufti Asif Umar said:
“This is a horrific and disgusting act of vandalism which cannot be tolerated. We stand with our Jewish friends who have also faced numerous bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers across the Country. We hope the perpetrators of these crimes are swiftly caught and brought to justice.”
IMCSTL wrote a letter of solidarity to the various Jewish centers in St. Louis.
SEE: Imam Council Letter to the Jewish Community
This comes in the wake of a second round of bomb threats against Jewish community centers around the nation. Over President’s Day, at least 10 centers received bomb threats. CAIR’s national office has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who made these threats. Over 150 tomb stones were vandalized, knocked over or damaged in the incident.
SEE: CAIR Offers Reward for Info On Threats Targeting Jewish Community Centers Nationwide
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Jewish Community,” said Imam Djilali Kacem head of the ICMSTL. “We are truly appalled at this act of vandalism in our city. We want the Jewish community to know that the Muslim community stands with you in solidarity as Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hate in general is on the rise in our nation.”
“Many of my personal friends have family members who are buried in this cemetery,” said Faizan Syed of CAIR-Missouri. “This is a cowardly and an unacceptable act of hate against not only the Jewish community, but against all faiths and the values we hold dear as Americans.”
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MO Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626,faizan@cair-stl.org; Imam Mufti Asif Umar, 636-394-8982,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.
