(KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, 10/29/18) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations - Kansas (CAIR-Kansas), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and nationwide following a deadly attack on a synagogue in that city and will join a community vigil at the Kahilath Israel Synagogue 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212 in support of the local Jewish community.

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In a statement, CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy said:

“We as a community stand together in condemning this abhorrent and cowardly attack on the Jewish community and its house of worship. Our sincere sympathy and condolences go to the Jewish community and specifically to the loved ones of all those who were killed or injured and offer our solidarity and support to the Jewish community during this difficult time of grief.” 

In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania said:

“We condemn this heinous and cowardly attack on a house of worship, offer heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of all those who were killed or injured and express our solidarity with the Jewish community during this time of shock and grief.”

WHAT: Community Vigil in support of Jewish community
WHEN: Monday, October 29, 2018, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Kahilath Israel Synagogue, 10501 Cosner St., Overland Park, KS 66212-2643

The Washington-based civil rights organization is urging all houses of worship and faith-based and advocacy organizations to take extra security precautions as outlined in its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet. The advice in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission.

The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

END

CONTACT: CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy, 785-318-6323, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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CAIR-Kansas Welcomes Missouri GOP’s Condemnation of Islamophobic, Anti-Semitic Candidate, Calls for His Expulsion from Party

(KANSAS CITY, MO, 8/15/2018) – The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today welcomes the Missouri Republican Party’s condemnation of a racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic candidate who won the primary for a Missouri House seat and calls for his expulsion from the party.

Republican candidate Steve West, who has never run for public office yet won 49 percent of the district vote, has a history of making divisive and hate-filled statements. On a pamphlet, West wrote, “Islam is a problem for America” along with statements like “Islam is antithetical to this country as founded.”

West also promotes anti-Semitic conspiracies about “Jewish cabals” that torture and molest children and that run the Republican Party. “Looking back in history, unfortunately, Hitler was right about what was taking place in Germany. And who was behind it,” West said on a radio program.

In response, the state’s GOP issued a statement saying, “West's abhorrent rhetoric has absolutely no place in the Missouri Republican Party or anywhere.”

(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.

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“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.”