Muslim Advocacy Group Warns of Harmful Stereotypes in Police Alert
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh) has criticized a community alert sent out by the Hopewell Township Police Department for potentially fueling bias and discrimination. The alert, which described two individuals as “Middle Eastern-looking with pronounced beards,” was issued despite no crime being reported.
According to CAIR-Pittsburgh, the alert was based on vague and subjective appearance-based descriptions and could contribute to the stigmatization of Muslims, Arabs, and people perceived to be of Middle Eastern descent. The men had been seen walking near churches in the area, but no suspicious behavior or illegal activity was cited.
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“It’s troubling to see a public alert focus on appearance and perceived ethnicity, especially when no crime occurred,” CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said, according to the group’s website.
“Descriptions like ‘Middle Eastern-looking with pronounced beards’ reinforce harmful stereotypes and promote discrimination. Law enforcement should investigate before issuing warnings that may unfairly target innocent people. Public trust depends on thoughtful, responsible communication,” it added.
Community members who voiced concern on the department’s Facebook page reportedly received dismissive responses rather than meaningful dialogue.
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CAIR-Pittsburgh has urged the Hopewell Township Police and other law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania to avoid racially charged or imprecise language in public alerts unless such details are essential to an active investigation.
The national CAIR office also referenced its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which highlights a continued rise in Islamophobia in the United States.
Source: Agencies
