SAN JOSE — An Islamic advocacy group is calling on authorities to step up protection for mosques after a San Jose Islamic center received a derogatory letter in the mail this week.
On the evening of Nov. 24, the Evergreen Islamic Center at 2486 Ruby Ave. received a letter, which addressed the center’s members as “children of Satan,” according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The letter’s author also called Muslims “vile and filthy people” and said members should “pack their bags and get out of dodge,” CAIR said.
Additionally, the letter also said that President-elect Donald Trump is “going to cleanse America and make it shine again. And, he is going to start with you Muslims.”
The San Jose Police Department’s assault unit, which investigates hate-motivated crimes, responded to the incident and is conducting an investigation, according to police.
The incident is one of many that have happened across the country since the Nov. 8 presidential election, targeting American Muslims and other minority groups, CAIR said.
“We urge local law enforcement authorities to work with Muslims community leaders to ensure the safety of all houses of worship,” CAIR-San Francisco Bay Area Executive Director Zahra Billoo said in a statement. “Our state’s political and religious leaders need to speak out against the mainstreaming of Islamophobia that we are witnessing in California and nationwide.
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