Ohio Elected Officials Urged to Take Stand on Israeli Crimes, Islamophobia

WASHINGTON, DC (IQNA) – A number mosques and Muslim organizations in the US state of Ohio issued an open letter addressed to Ohio elected officials, calling on them to address Israel’s massacre of people in Gaza as well as the alarming rise of anti-Muslim hate crimes in the state. 

That letter expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle East and its direct impact on the Muslim community in Ohio. The letter reveals staggering statistics related to the Israeli regime's attacks on Gaza, in which at least 11,423 Palestinians, including 4,630 children, have been killed by Israel. The situation has not only led to a humanitarian crisis but has also fueled a surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes, assaults, and discriminatory incidents within Ohio and across the United States. 

“The biased rhetoric and misinformation surrounding the situation has contributed to a hostile environment that fosters discrimination and violence against those who are Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, perceived Muslim, Jewish, and anyone else of conscience who speaks up for the human rights of Palestinians,” states the open letter. 

The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) was one of the organizations signing the letter.

CAIR reports an alarming increase in complaints of Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab discrimination in Ohio, with CAIR-Ohio alone receiving at least 195 complaints in just one month, surpassing the total number of complaints received for the entire year of 2022. Of these, at least 151 are directly related to the situation in Palestine, marking an uptick of over 600% from the previous year, during October 7 through November 4. 

In response to these troubling trends, the undersigned organizations call on Ohio elected officials to take a stand against discrimination, violence, and hate crimes targeting the Muslim and Arab community. They also urge officials to address Israel’s violence against civilians and settlement expansions, express support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people, and meet with community representatives, including medical, legal, and human rights experts on Israeli apartheid and oppression. 

“Enough is enough. Ohio is witnessing a disturbing spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes fueled by the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” said CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox. “This open letter is not just a plea; it’s a demand for accountability. Our elected officials must actively combat discrimination, condemn violence, and stand firm against any form of bigotry targeting our Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab communities.” 

Source: Cair.com