CAIR-WA Stands With Burien Islamic Community After Center Rammed in Hit and Run Incident

(BURIEN, WA, 3/7/2022) - The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) today expressed solidarity with the Muslim American Youth Foundation (MAYF) after its center was damaged in a hit-and-run incident Monday morning.

At around 9:15 a.m. on Monday, a silver car reportedly rammed into the prayer space inside the community center. The car then reportedly reversed and sped off, leaving extensive damage and the car's bumper and hubcap behind. This is the fifth Islamic center that has been targeted in Washington in the past 4 months, in addition to many other houses of worship that have been targeted.

SEE: IMAGES OF THE DAMAGE
SEE: Suspected arsonist arrested in connection with Islamic Center of Tacoma fire https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/islamic-center-of-tacoma-arson-arrest/281-1f33b84c-5005-451e-8603-3c5dffdfacd3
Explosion rattles Islamic Center of Olympia in apparent act of intimidation https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/olympia/explosion-islamic-center-of-olympia/281-83b701cc-7d88-494e-a4d7-a19a3c737885

The Muslim community will hold a press conference tomorrow outside the Muslim American Youth Foundation.

WHAT: Press Conference in Solidarity with Muslim American Youth Foundation
WHEN: Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, 9:00 AM
WHERE: 125 S. 156th St, Burien, WA 98148
CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi, 480-415-4652, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., CAIR-WA Sr. Communications and Marketing Strategist Katharine Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Muslim American Youth Foundation Executive Director Yahya Suufi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 206-291-7487

In a statement, CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi said:

"This is yet another disturbing act of violence at a Washington State Islamic center. If there happened to be people praying inside the facility at the time of this hit-and-run, we would be talking about extensive injuries taking place. This is a community that is a haven for many young people, and it’s heartbreaking to see their facility damaged in this way. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the MAYF community and hope the person responsible will be brought to justice soon."

CAIR publishes its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" located here.

CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger las libertades civiles, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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