Civil rights group asks leaders to condemn anti-Muslim fliers

Civil rights group asks leaders to condemn anti-Muslim fliers
By Dave Aeikens • daeikens@stcloudtimes.com • December 11, 2009

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Twitter The state chapter of the country’s largest Muslim civil rights group on Thursday asked religious and political leaders to condemn anti-Muslim fliers that were posted on utility poles in St. Cloud.




The request came from The Council on American Islamic Relations.
“We believe there is a direct correlation between anti-Muslim rhetoric and bias incidents targeting American Muslims,” said CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri. “Our state’s political and religious leaders need to speak out strongly against anti-Muslim hate, just as they would speak out against any other form of intolerance.”
The fliers were found in northeast St. Cloud and include graphic, sexually explicit cartoons. The posters included hand-drawn and digitally altered photos that are derogatory about Muslims. They included depictions of the prophet Mohammed and a swastika, among other images.
Five pages were posted in front of Mandeeq Shop, a Somali-owned dry goods store on East St. Germain Street.
Police are investigating the case.
CAIR-MN is working with St. Cloud Muslim leaders to offer training on community safety and religious freedom. In June, CAIR-MN offered a “Know Your Rights” workshop at a convention organized by the Islamic Center of St. Cloud.