(ATLANTA, GA, 9/12/16) – The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) today condemned anti-Muslim extremists whose harassment and threats of armed protest outside a planned September 13 Newton County Commission meeting led the commissioners to cancel that meeting.
A majority of commissioners had agreed to lift the county’s moratorium on houses of worship during the meeting, but the commissioners now plan to allow the moratorium to expire naturally on the 21st.
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“We strongly condemn the anti-Muslim extremists who have slandered, harassed and threatened Newton County’s commissioners over the past week,” said CAIR-GA Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “These extremists do not represent the people of Newton County, who are as warm and welcoming as other Georgians.”
Mitchell added: “Although we understand why several Newton County commissioners were concerned about public safety, governments cannot and should not let such fears prevent them from holding a vote, much less a meeting. Every day, American Muslims stand up to the threats of bigoted extremists. Government officials should be brave enough to do the same.”
A majority of Newton commissioners have pledged to allow the moratorium to expire on Sep. 21, thus allowing the planned mosque and cemetery project to proceed.
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-GA Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell; 404-285-9530; [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]