WP: Surge in Anti-Muslim Incidents Reported (VA, MD, D.C. Top 10) [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091800597.html

A national Muslim advocacy organization yesterday blamed a "negative and politically charged" environment on the Internet and talk radio for the 30 percent jump in anti-Muslim incidents reported to the group last year.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations received 1,972 complaints of harassment, violence and discriminatory treatment in 2005, up from 1,522 in 2004, according to an annual report released yesterday.

The number of complaints is the highest since CAIR began the report after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The group said it received 2,300 complaints but deemed some of them illegitimate.

"We're seeing a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric fed by the Internet and also on talk radio," CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said at a news conference. "You can't turn on the radio without hearing negative, bigoted comments about Islam."