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(KANSAS CITY, KS, 7/26/2018) - The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today expressed solidarity with the African-American community following an allegedly racially-motivated murder of an African-American woman by a reported white supremacist.
MeShon Cooper, 43, was found dead July 14 in a residence about a week after she had been reported missing. Ronald Lee Kidwell, 47, who lives at the home, is charged with second-degree murder in her death. Kidwell has been described as a white supremacist who had assaulted black people in the past. The FBI is investigating the murder as a possible hate crime.
FBI Investigating Killing of Black Woman in Shawnee as Possible Hate Crime
“All Kansans must stand in solidarity with the African-American community after this allegedly hate-motivated act of violence by a suspect who has reportedly expressed white supremacist views,” said CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy. “We denounce acts of hate against any group and welcome the decision by law enforcement authorities to investigate it as a possible hate crime. This case may be part of a disturbing trend of emboldened white supremacy that is spreading nationwide following the election of Donald Trump.”
(KANSAS CITY, KS, 5/3/18) – The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today offered a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who allegedly attacked a Muslim student on the campus of a local community college in Kansas.
Law enforcement authorities say the Muslim student was leaving class April 3 when she was insulted, struck in the face and then fell down some stairs. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in what the agency is calling a "potential hate crime.”
SEE: KC Muslim Student Was Struck in the Face on Campus, FBI Says
“We welcome the FBI’s commitment to apprehending the alleged perpetrator in this case and hope our additional reward will convince someone to come forward with information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case,” said CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy.
Elbayoumy added: "CAIR-Kansas has been supporting, advising and providing the victim and her family with legal counsel since the day of the incident, and we are glad to see the FBI take this additional step forward in the investigation."
(KANSAS CITY, KS, 4/18/18) – The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today welcomed a guilty verdict for three right-wing militiamen who plotted to massacre Muslim refugees living in an apartment complex in that state.
Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen face life in prison for charges related to use of weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights. Wright was also found guilty of lying to the FBI. Sentencing for all three men is scheduled for June 27.
SEE: Right-Wing Extremists Guilty in Terror Plot Against Muslim Refugees
“We welcome the guilty verdicts in this disturbing case and hope that anyone considering turning bigoted views into violent actions will see what their fate will be when apprehended and prosecuted by law enforcement authorities,” said CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy.
(LAWRENCE, KS, 3/4/2018) -- On Monday, March 5, the Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas), together with Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), will host its 3rd Annual “Kansas Muslim Advocacy Day/Stand with Muslim Neighbors Day.”
WHAT: 3rd Annual Kansas Muslim Advocacy Day/ Stand with Muslim Neighbors Day at the Capitol
WHEN: Monday, March 5, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 2nd Floor Rotunda Kansas State Capitol
CONTACT: CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy, 785-318-6323, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Muslims from across the state will be joined by members of the state’s Christian and Jewish communities and others to stand together and declare that Muslim Kansans are valued and valuable.
"We are all equal in God's eyes, and we all have equal protections under the law," Said Rabi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action.
(KANSAS CITY, KS, 12/14/18) – On Thursday, February 15, the Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) will join Muslim community leaders in addressing the City Council of Kansas City (3 p.m., City Council Chamber, 26th Floor, Kansas City City Hall, 414 E 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64106) about a resolution in support of the Muslim community, recognizing Muslims as an integral part of the community and denouncing Islamophobia and other forms of hate.
Two Muslim representatives, Moussa Elbayoumy from CAIR-Kansas and Shaheer Akhtab from KC Coalition for Good Government, are scheduled to address the council.
The proposed resolution, titled “Supporting the Muslim community in Kansas City against prejudice and bias,” states in part:
“Be it resolved, That the Mayor and Council; together with the Human Rights Commission, recognize that the threats posed by Islamophobia to our American values of religious freedom and cultural diversity and declare that we as a community support our Muslim residents.”