CAIR-Chicago Condemns Islamophobic Harassment
(CHICAGO, IL, 9/29/2022) - The Chicago Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the alleged Islamophobic harassment of a Loyola University student on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line.
The student reported that her harassment occurred on their way to class on September 16. Another passenger verbally taunted her because of her religious identity and attire. The alleged harasser told the student, “You would not want to go home killed.” Another passenger came to her defense, but the suspected harasser continued making Islamophobic comments. The conductor eventually kicked the alleged harasser off the Red Line after hearing the harassment.
SEE: Loyola Muslim Student Harassed for Religious Clothing on the Red Line
“We condemn this alleged act of anti-Muslim harassment and thank those who came to assist the student reportedly targeted by Islamophobic bigotry,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab. “Every American, whatever their faith or background, should be able to go about daily activities without fear of harassment or potential violence.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging Islamophobia, antisemitism, systematic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Rehab added that earlier this year, CAIR issued a report on the civil rights of American Muslims, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” detailing more than 6,700 civil rights complaints the Washington D.C., based group received in the past year.
SEE: CAIR Issues New Report Detailing 6,700+ Civil Rights Complaints, Highest Number Ever Recorded
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CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Erin Davis, 773-802-8786, epdavis@cair.com;