Christian Hooligans strike again

HATRED AMONG US - TOP Attack on Melbourne mosque is intolerable; offenders must be foundFlorida Today, 9/26/06
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20060926/OPINION/609260339/1004 Friday's attack on a Melbourne mosque is more than deplorable. It represents an apparent and potentially deadly escalation in a series of attacks on local houses of worship.Only by chance was Delacie Phillips, a member of the Islamic Society of Brevard, not killed by shots fired from a wooded area across from the mosque.But he was nicked in the hand as a shot shattered a window above his head, and was forced to take cover as five more bullets struck the building's south side.Authorities have not classified it as a hate crime, although it appears to be one. That's why investigators are pulling out the stops: The FBI, federal Joint Terrorism Task force and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are joining Melbourne Police in the probe.Fortunately, the cowardly shooter or shooters left behind footprints and a pair of binoculars that indicates possible premeditation and might offer evidence of identity.Punishing the guilty is essential to show this community wholly rejects violence or intimidation against people of any faith, whether they be Muslims or others whose victimization displays the pointless destruction of blind ignorance.Such action is on the rise, with 334 hate crimes reported last year in Florida, up 22 percent over 2004. a Nazi swastika was painted on the Kol Mashiach Messianic synagogue in Melbourne.But Melbourne's mosque now has been targeted three times: A crude crucifix was scrawled on its wall last October; last week, shots, possibly from an air rifle, were fired at the mosque, and then there was Friday's far more dangerous attack.The shooters might, in some twisted way, be responding to Islamic militants' attacks on Christian churches in the Mideast that followed a 14th-century quotation by Pope Benedict XVI to show the need for dialogue between Christians and Muslims.The pope has since apologized for having offended some Muslims, met with Islamic leaders, and reiterated his respect for the Muslim faith.In that same spirit, the Central Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has collected money to repair the damaged Mideast churches, giving credence to Islamic statements against such destruction. (MORE)

Christian Hate

HATRED AMONG US - TOP Attack on Melbourne mosque is intolerable; offenders must be foundFlorida Today, 9/26/06
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20060926/OPINION/609260339/1004 Friday's attack on a Melbourne mosque is more than deplorable. It represents an apparent and potentially deadly escalation in a series of attacks on local houses of worship.Only by chance was Delacie Phillips, a member of the Islamic Society of Brevard, not killed by shots fired from a wooded area across from the mosque.But he was nicked in the hand as a shot shattered a window above his head, and was forced to take cover as five more bullets struck the building's south side.Authorities have not classified it as a hate crime, although it appears to be one. That's why investigators are pulling out the stops: The FBI, federal Joint Terrorism Task force and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are joining Melbourne Police in the probe.Fortunately, the cowardly shooter or shooters left behind footprints and a pair of binoculars that indicates possible premeditation and might offer evidence of identity.Punishing the guilty is essential to show this community wholly rejects violence or intimidation against people of any faith, whether they be Muslims or others whose victimization displays the pointless destruction of blind ignorance.Such action is on the rise, with 334 hate crimes reported last year in Florida, up 22 percent over 2004. a Nazi swastika was painted on the Kol Mashiach Messianic synagogue in Melbourne.But Melbourne's mosque now has been targeted three times: A crude crucifix was scrawled on its wall last October; last week, shots, possibly from an air rifle, were fired at the mosque, and then there was Friday's far more dangerous attack.The shooters might, in some twisted way, be responding to Islamic militants' attacks on Christian churches in the Mideast that followed a 14th-century quotation by Pope Benedict XVI to show the need for dialogue between Christians and Muslims.The pope has since apologized for having offended some Muslims, met with Islamic leaders, and reiterated his respect for the Muslim faith.In that same spirit, the Central Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has collected money to repair the damaged Mideast churches, giving credence to Islamic statements against such destruction.

Christian Leader makes racist hate comments

TRUSTEE SENDS E-MAIL DISPARAGING MUSLIMS - TOP DANIEL BARLOW, Rutland Herald, 9/23/06
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20060923/NEWS/609230338/1003/NEWS02
BELLOWS FALLS - Village trustee Stefan Golec forwarded at least two Internet jokes and messages this month to town officials and community leaders that contain derogatory terms for Muslims and are critical of their culture and religion.One e-mail he forwarded labeled Muslims as "brutal and uncivilized" and another referred to them as "Towel Heads." The e-mails were sent to friends, community leaders and this reporter.On Thursday Golec said he forwards many e-mails to people and does not always agree with their content or language. He refused to say if he agreed with these messages or articulate his feelings toward Muslims."Creating an e-mail and forwarding one are two different things," he said. "I have friends that send me jokes and e-mails and sometimes I forward those along."Golec has been a member of the Bellows Falls Board of Trustees for a decade.Rockingham Select Board member Ann DiBernardo received one of the e-mails this week and called the comments they contained "inappropriate." But she also said she does not believe Golec "dislikes or hates Muslims.""Stefan is very patriotic," DiBernardo said. "He loves this country. I don't think he is anti-Muslim, I think he is just very patriotic."Village President Clark Barber said he had not seen the e-mails and has no control over what trustees do in their free time."I myself deplore any kind of discrimination or prejudice," Clark said. "But unless this becomes a town issue, I don't think we can do anything about it."One e-mail Golec forwarded Sept. 20 was titled, "Towel Heads," and contained a cartoon showing an elderly Caucasian woman in slippers and holding a coffee mug. The text of the cartoon suggests that "Islamic terrorists" do not like being called "Towel Heads" because "the item they wear on their head is not actually a towel, but in fact, a small folded sheet.""Therefore, from this point forward, please refer to them as 'Little Sheet Heads,'" the cartoon reads. . .The Internet has become a prominent source of anti-Muslim rhetoric, and e-mail has made it quick and easy for people to redistribute the offensive material, said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesperson for the Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.Ignorance of Islam also may run high in communities with few or no Muslims, Hooper added. Vermont's minority population was estimated to be about 4 percent in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is not clear how many Vermonters identify themselves as Muslims."It's unfortunate that an elected official choose to send out statements like those," Hooper said. "I recommend that he take the time to speak with a Muslim about their faith."

Attack By Thugs

TWO FL MEN ACCUSED OF ANTI-ARAB HATE CRIME - TOP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrylu_VXpu4

Sniper fires on crowd of Muslims

BREAKING NEWS: SNIPER SHOOTING AT BREVARD MOSQUE - TOP http://www.cfnews13.com/StoryHeadline.aspx?id=18834
Several shots were fired and now police are searching for gunmen in possible Melbourne hate crime.Police in Melbourne say the Islamic Mosque was crowded when last night as members celebrated the start of Ramadan.Sources in the Melbourne Police Department say it appears a Christian sniper opened fire on the Islamic Society of Brevard County on 550 East Florida Avenue.Police tell us it appears a two people were hiding in the woods across from the mosque and when one member came outside from services, the Christian gunman in the woods opened fire."The officers responded to a call of shots fired at the building. There was a gentleman who had stepped outside the building. He had exited the service to use his cell phone when the shots were fired, said Public Information Officer Jill Frederiksen, Melbourne Police Department.Nobody was shot in the possible hate crime. (MORE)

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Mubarak

Racist graffitii used to vandalize Mosque

The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) today condemned the vandalism of the Manitoba Islamic Association mosque in Winnipeg that was spray-painted with profanities, ethnic slurs such as "packy" and Nazi swastikas. ("Paki" is a derogatory term referring to people of Pakistani heritage.) The vandalism was discovered early Saturday morning.CAIR-CAN called on the Winnipeg Police to ensure that the incident is investigated swiftly as a hate crime and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.This most recent episode is part of a disturbing trend of similar incidents that have occurred recently across Canada.In a statement, CAIR-CAN said:"The defacement of any place of worship is deeply offensive and hurtful and the accompanying slurs on the Winnipeg mosque clearly constitute a hate crime."CAIR-CAN calls on local politicians and security officials in Winnipeg to demonstrate leadership by standing firm against all forms of hate. They must investigate this hate crime incident as a matter of urgency and bring the criminals responsible to justice."CAIR-CAN encourages the people of Winnipeg and citizens of conscience across Canada to engage in outreach efforts. By strengthening relations and building bridges, Canadians stand united in defense of our democratic values. We must show hate groups that their malicious agendas will not be tolerated in civil society."

Christian teacher spews anti-muslim hate speach.

TEACHER ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF ANTI-ISLAM TIRADE - TOP Woman Escorted From Maryland High School
http://www.turnto23.com/education/9839832/detail.html
A Maryland substitute teacher was arrested after an alleged anti-Islamic tirade in front of high school students.Carol Joan McVey, 49, was charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.Police said McVey became upset when she heard some students at Gaithersburg High School, who were being assisted by another teacher, practicing a speech and using some Arabic words.The Washington Post said she reacted after overhearing the group utter an Islamic greeting of peace.Charging documents allege McVey shouted, "Islam doesn't mean peace, it means killing everyone for peace" and "Because of you, our families died in New York!"It's not known if anyone who heard the alleged remarks is Muslim.Authorities said McVey went to the school office to express her displeasure about the speech and the assisting teacher and was told by the principal that her services were no longer needed at the schoolPolice said she refused to leave and was escorted from the school by the educational facilities officer.While being escorted from the building, McVey allegedly yelled at a Hispanic teacher about the inappropriateness of speaking to students in languages other than English. (MORE)

CHRISTIAN LEADERCALLS FOR GENOCIDE AGAISNT MUSLIMS

REDDING MAYOR'S ISLAM REMARKS DRAW FIRE - TOP Larry Mitchell, Chic Enterprise Record, 9/12/06
http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci_4322434
The mayor of Redding got into hot water with some comments he made about Islam last week.The occasion was a prayer event held Thursday on the steps of the Shasta County Courthouse and emceed by state Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.Redding Mayor Ken Murray said Christians and Muslim extremists are engaged in "a war to the spiritual death of one of us," according to a Redding Record-Searchlight article.According to the newspaper, Murray attacked the smaller of the two branches of Islam, the Shiites, saying adherents believe lying, cheating, stealing and killing are acceptable if they are done to glorify Allah.These remarks and others he reportedly made brought Murray criticism in the form of an editorial by the Record-Searchlight.In addition, a national Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sent out an e-mail bulletin calling on "Californians to repudiate" the mayor's remarks.In a phone interview Monday afternoon, Murray said he apologized on a Redding radio station that morning, but he wasn't sure his apology would satisfy all his critics.According to the Record-Searchlight, after the prayer event, Murray said he distinguished between "mainstream" Muslims and Shiites, whom he called "wing nuts."The newspaper reported Murray said, "Either the Judeo-Christian philosophy will survive or the Islamic philosophy will survive."Asked by the Enterprise-Record if he'd been quoted accurately, Murray said, "not exactly."The E-R asked Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for CAIR, about the Shiites and the mayor's remarks.Hooper said the comments didn't make sense. Like the larger Sunni group, the Shiites include millions of ordinary Muslims who are not violent or lawless, he said.The differences between the two groups aren't as great as those between Catholics and Protestants in the Christian world, he said.Ali Sarsour, a Sunni Muslim from Chico, said he's known many Shiite Muslims from Chico and Yuba City and found them to be "fantastic people," who love peace and obey the laws.On the radio talk show he hosts in Redding, Murray explained Monday morning that he'd used the wrong term. He said "Shiites" while meaning the Wahhabi.According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, Wahhabism, named after a leader who lived in the 1800s, is the dominant form of Islam in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Its followers seek a very pure form of the religion, the article stated.But Hooper, of CAIR, said no Muslims today would call themselves Wahhabis. It's become a pejorative term that means an extremist or violent person, he said. The only people he hears using it, he said, are those who "aren't very fond of Islam."Hooper said he thought Murray and maybe others in the north valley could benefit from meeting with some Muslims and learning about their religion. He offered to facilitate such a meeting. (MORE)

cHRISTIAN CHURCH ONLY HAPPY WHEN ALL MUSLIMS CONVERT

CHURCH SIGN STIRS ANGER AMONG LOCAL MUSLIMS - TOP Heather Allen, Herald Tribune, 9/12/06
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS/609120341

"Muslims can convert to Christianity here!" read the sign Monday in front of the Congregational Church on Laurel Road.It was an invitation that the church's pastor, K.C. McCay, admitted he didn't expect anyone to accept.But coming on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it was bound to stir a response.And it did."If church leaders are really interested in saving people, they would find much less offensive ways to do it," said Ahmed Bedier, director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "Religious leaders are adding fuel to the fire. It's a shame."The group plans on taking photos of the sign to document the incident, as it did in 2003 when a Jacksonville minister posted a sign stating that the Prophet Muhammad advocated violence.McCay, who has been a pastor at the church for five years, said 9/11 never entered his mind when he placed the message on the road-side marquee.Instead, he was responding to a Texas man, whose name he said he did not remember, who recently called on Christians to convert to Islam.McCay said he doesn't expect any Muslims to take him up on his offer.The church, which was founded by his father in 1977, has between 50 and 100 members, depending on the time of year. It is a conservative church that views Christianity as the only path to God."We will not vary from that," McCay said. "If Muslims want us to water it down, that might be all right for you, but we're not biting."But Janet Onnie, chairwoman of the Venice Interfaith Community Association, said McCay's sign did more harm than good in the effort to bring people together.Celebrating the commonalities between Islam and Christianity is a better way to bring people together, she said. (MORE)-----

CHRISTIAN MAN SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING CARS AT MOSQUE

HATFIELD MAN SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING CARS AT MOSQUE - TOP 2 vehicles in Lansdale hit 52 times. Defendant said son serving in Iraq.Kathleen Parrish, Morning Call, 9/13/06
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_2mosquesep13,0,2455938.story

A Hatfield Township man who said his son is serving in Iraq has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to firing 52 shots at two cars in the parking lot of a Lansdale mosque last year.Robert Blackburn, 54, of 199 W. Vine St., was sentenced Monday to nine to 23 months in Montgomery County Prison, where he has been since the night of his arrest, and five years probation on charges of ethnic intimidation and possession of an instrument of crime."We're glad he took responsibility for his actions," Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Flannery said of the plea agreement, which was accepted by Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter."He knew what he was doing and what he was doing was wrong. But he was acting in part [because] of his mental illness and that's why we didn't push for state time," she said.During the early hours of Nov. 8, police discovered two cars had been riddled with bullets outside the North Penn Mosque at 600 Maple Ave. One car was hit 37 times and the other 15. Police found a .22-caliber rifle in Blackburn's car and ammunition in his pockets.Flannery said Blackburn told police the night of the shooting that he had been in the Army, his father had been in the Army and his son was on a third tour of duty in Iraq.''He had it twisted in his mind that this was a symbol of what his son was fighting in Iraq,'' she said. ''Because of his mental illness, he thought it was justified to act out his anger toward these innocent people,'' she said.Officials at the mosque did not immediately return phone calls for comment.

Christian Thugs Murder Muslim

MERRILLVILLE RESTAURANT OWNER FOUND MURDERED - TOP Rafael Romo, CBS 2, 9/9/06
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_252173437.html

[CONTACT: CAIR Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 847-971-3963](CBS) MERRILLVILLE The owner of the Aladdin Pita restaurant off U.S. Route 30 in Merrillville, Ind. was found shot to death Saturday morning inside of his restaurant.Naseeb Mohammed was found fatally shot at the Aladdin Pita restaurant located at 3750 W. 80th Lane in Merrillville.CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports that owner was known for his generosity. Just yesterday, Naseeb Mohammed had a celebration at his restaurant and invited many members of the Islamic community. . .No valuables were taken from the restaurant with the exception of just a few dollars from the cash register.Friends of Mohammed say the portable safe wasn't even touched."That leads me to the conclusion that possibly this could be a hate crime. And I hope that our authorities here, who are good friends of our community, look into all the possible angles," Khan said.Merrillville police are not confirming the shooting death was a hate crime. They say evidence points toward a robbery. Investigators with the Lake County Sheriff's Department are also involved in the investigation, along with the FBI.

Christian Racist charged

JUDGE RULES THAT PIG'S HEAD ROLLER WAS RACIALLY MOTIVATED - TOPRhonda Erskine, WCSH6, 8/31/06
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=40976

A judge ruled Thursday that 33-year-old Brent Matthews violated Maine's Civil Rights Act when he tossed a pig's head into a Lewiston mosque earlier this summer.Matthews has never denied that he tossed the pig's head into the Lewiston Islamic Center. He has said all along it was a practical joke.Justice Ellen Gorman said there was nothing remotely funny about what Matthews did and determined that his actions were racially motivated.As a result of the ruling, Matthews must abide by a court order that forbids him from threatening or using physical force against the mosque or it's members. He must also stay at least 150 feet away from the mosque.If Matthews violates that court order he could face criminal charges.Members of the mosque told us they are pleased with the judges ruling. Matthews defense attorney says his client is obviously disappointed. But both sides say they are ready to make amends and move forward. (MORE)-----

Christian Vandal

A LONE MAN'S STUNT RAISES BROADER ISSUES - TOP Katie Zezima, New York Times, 9/5/06

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/05/us/05maine.html

On a hot July night, a few dozen Somali men were kneeling shoulder to shoulder in prayer at a storefront mosque here when the door opened and the frozen head of a pig, an animal considered unclean in Islam, rolled across the floor.Men fled in fear. A child fainted. Some called the police and ran after the person who had rolled the head in. A suspect, Brent Matthews, was quickly apprehended and charged with desecrating a place of worship. Mr. Matthews, 33, said that the incident was a prank and that he did not know the significance of a pig's head.Now, weeks later, Somali leaders say the incident has left a scar on their community of about 3,000 immigrants.While they admit the act was the work of one man, it has heightened simmering tensions in this overwhelmingly white, working-class city of 35,000, where Somali refugees started flocking about five years ago, after first settling in more urban areas of the United States. Many said they came here because housing was inexpensive and Lewiston seemed a safe place to raise their families.While much of Lewiston has been welcoming, some Somalis here believe the head incident reveals an undercurrent of suspicion and lack of understanding about their culture. According to the Census Bureau, Maine is 96 percent white."We're not saying all of Lewiston is part of this," said Imam Nuh Iman, leader of the mosque, the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center. "But this is the biggest impact you can have on a mosque, in the time of praying, to put in a pig's head. It could have been a goat's head, or a cow's head. But it was a pig's head."Phil Nadeau, the assistant city administrator, believes the incident was isolated but underscored the growing pains this city - whose mills and shoe factories, now closed, welcomed French-Canadian workers a century ago - is now going through."I think it's a reflection of where we are right now. There's a small group of people that will never accept this type of change in their community, ever," said Mr. Nadeau, whose French-Canadian grandmother spoke only five words of English. "The second wave of non-English speakers to Lewiston is now the Somali population."Hussein Ahmed, 31, said the mosque incident came as Somalis here felt that they had finally started to move on from a 2002 open letter written by Laurier Raymond, then the mayor, which asked them to stop other Somalis from coming to the city. Mr. Raymond contended in his letter that the city was "maxed-out financially, physically and emotionally." (MORE)

Pig head Vandal

DESECRATION SUSPECT WANTS JURY TRIAL - TOP News 8 WMTW, 9/6/06

http://www.wmtw.com/news/9797894/detail.html

LEWISTON, Maine -- A man charged with desecrating a place of worship after allegedly rolling a frozen pig's head into a Lewiston mosque has requested a jury trial.A lawyer for Brent Matthews told News 8 he made the request in a letter sent to Lewiston District Court. In the letter, Jim Howaniec said he entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf.Matthews, 33, of Lewiston, said he was carrying the pig's head when it slipped out of his hands and rolled into the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center on Lisbon Street during prayers on July 3.Muslims consider pork to be unclean.At a hearing last week, Superior Court Justice Ellen Gorman granted the state's request for a preliminary injunction against Matthews. That means he'll have to stay 150 feet away from the mosque, as well as anyone who worships there.The state is pursuing a civil lawsuit that accuses Matthews of violating the Maine Civil Rights Act. If found guilty, he would be ordered to stay away on a permanent basis and to refrain from violating the act. (MORE)

Anti-Muslim Incidents on the rise

ANTI-MUSLIM INCIDENTS ON RISE IN STATE, WATCHDOG GROUP SAYS - TOP Diana Moskovitz, Miami Herald, 9/8/06
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15465296.htm

Zaid Ismail had been selling cars at a local auto dealership for about eight months when the harassment started.His new manager called Ismail, a Palestinian, ``little terrorist."When he was in the restroom, someone knocked on the stall door saying, ``Hey, are you making bombs in there?"And in September of last year, Ismail, 51, of Coral Springs, found a note on his car telling him to go back to the Middle East or die."I'm an American like everyone else. It's not right," Ismail said.Ismail's story is one of 112 acts of discrimination against Muslims recorded last year in Florida, according to a report released on Thursday. That's up from 103 in 2004.The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations put together the annual report. CAIR is a Muslim advocacy group established after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing."The effect of 9/11 is not withering away," CAIR legal counsel Areeb Naseer said.Other findings in the report include:o The number of hate crimes against Muslims went down from 15 in 2004 to 12 in 2005.o Work was the most common place where discrimination occurred, including 22 of the incidents against Muslims in 2005.o Denying Muslims religious accommodations, like banning a woman from wearing a head scarf, was the most common type of discrimination, including 24 of the incidents in 2005.CAIR compiles the numbers from complaints received at its two Florida offices in Pembroke Pines and Tampa. A third office opened in Orlando this year.Each complaint is investigated to make sure the person has evidence that the discrimination happened, Naseer said. Once CAIR officials decide the complaint is legitimate, they try to find a way to resolve the situation, Naseer said. (MORE)

Vandalism agaisnt Muslim on the rise

MUSLIMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA SUFFER INCREASE IN VANDALISM, HATE CRIMES - TOP Ruth Morris, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/8/06

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cmuslim08sep08,0,1327167.story

Incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination are on the rise in South Florida, from slurs painted on mosque walls to a woman told she would have to remove her head covering if she wanted to keep her job, a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Thursday.Areeb Naseer, CAIR's legal adviser in Florida, said the group's offices had received 112 reports of anti-Muslim incidents for the state in 2005, a 9 percent increase from 2004. The complaints included outright hate crimes, such as vandalism at a Boca Raton mosque, verbal discrimination and intolerance of religious practices.Naseer also said data collected so far in 2006 pointed to a continued upward trend. Nationwide, there was an even sharper rise in anti-Muslim incidents in 2005, up nearly 30 percent from a year earlier, he said.He cited the experience of Ziad Ismail, a Palestinian car salesman living in Coral Springs, who said he had faced taunts by a fellow employee and their manager at a South Florida dealership."If I'm in the men's room, he [the manager] would say, `What happened? Are you making bombs in there?'" Ismail said. "I'm an American citizen like them, and everybody else. It wasn't right what they did to me." Ismail later found a note on his windshield telling him to "Go back to Jerusalem, or death."Naseer declined to identify the car dealership, saying the company acted correctly by firing the manager.The report outlined other examples of the cases that CAIR tracks. One involved a Tampa middle school student prohibited from playing in a basketball tournament because she covered her head with a Muslim head scarf called a hijab. In another case, CAIR said an unnamed "major Florida corporation" told a Muslim woman she faced a choice of either removing her hijab or leaving her job. "Discrimination is affecting Muslims in a very fundamental way, in schools where our children are learning, in the workplace where we are earning our livelihood," Naseer told reporters at CAIR's South Florida headquarters in Pembroke Pines. "And given the situation in Iraq, the situation in Lebanon and elsewhere, it's hard to imagine these numbers will come down any time soon."The U.S. Muslim community reported a spike in hate crimes after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and many say they brace for a new wave of discrimination whenever terrorism by Muslims hits headline news. Hate crimes dropped off in 2003, then began to climb again, according to CAIR.Asked why reported incidents of discrimination were on the rise, Naseer noted that most hate crimes have gone unpunished. He said there had been eight or nine reports of vandalism against mosques in South Florida over the past 18 months, but not a single suspect charged. (MORE)