Hate incidents in California reported to a Muslim civil rights group went up almost 50 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to a new report, to 89 from 60, continuing a trend from previous years.

Between 2014 and 2016, hate incidents more than tripled. The report, released this week by the Council on American-Islamic Relations California offices, details civil rights issues that were reported to the four offices in the state in 2016.

“Given the hostile and divisive political atmosphere, and increasing bigotry targeting minority communities, including the American Muslim community, it is important for all of us to know the facts on the ground,” said Susanne Arani, CAIR San Diego’s staff attorney. “This report is further proof that as responsible members in our communities, we have a lot of work to do. We must come together and challenge such injustices.”

At 182, hate-related issues, including hate incidents, hate crimes and hate calls or mail, were the second most common type of issue reported in 2016 statewide. San Diego’s office received 34 hate-related issues.


Islamophobia, especially bullying in schools, has been a concern of the San Diego office for several years. More than half of American Muslim students surveyed in California said they’d been bullied because of their religion according to a 2015 CAIR report. Many of the students surveyed lived in San Diego.

This year, the local CAIR office collaborated with the San Diego Unified School District to bring new programs and policies to combat Islamophobia and bullying. The district was sued in May over the changes by several parents who believed the district was unfairly favoring Muslim students.

The total number of issues reported to CAIR’s local San Diego office in 2016 increased by 46 percent from 2015, to 175 from 120, according to local executive director Hanif Mohebi. Types of complaints ranged from bullying to employment issues and housing discrimination.

One employment issue described in the report involved a man named Mohammed who was studying to be a chef through a program at a restaurant in downtown San Diego. The report gives only the man’s first name.


Because of his faith, Mohammed did not want to cook with alcohol, and the restaurant told him that it could not accommodate that need.

CAIR reached out on his behalf and found a solution with the restaurant that allowed Mohammed to stay in the program without compromising his beliefs. Mohammed was able to bring his expertise in Egyptian cuisine to the program, the report said.

Immigration-related matters, at 37, Mohebi said, were the most common type of issue reported to San Diego’s office.

The most common type of issue statewide, at 209, involved concerns with the FBI or other law enforcement. CAIR provides attorneys as representation for people who are asked to do voluntary interviews with the FBI.


The organization now has an app that people can use to report hate crimes and other incidents.


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