The term ‘Islamaphobia” was mentioned more than several times by different people during the public meeting, referring to a new wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence in the wake of the mass shooting in California and the possible racially motivated Thanksgiving Day shooting of a Muslim taxi driver in Pittsburgh.
The announcement of the new partnership comes several days after police arrested and charged Anthony Mohamed, 26, of Pittsburgh, who according to police, shot the cab driver through a rear window as the cab drove by him.
Police say they along with the FBI are investigating the shooting as a hate crime. Meanwhile, Mohamed remains in the Allegheny County Jail charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Wasi Mohamed was critical of the way the investigation was handled when he spoke on CNN last week, saying the Center “sill believes its a hate crime.”
Mclay said the investigation into the shooting was “was timely, professional and thorough,” in his remarks tonight.
The cab driver continues to make a recovery.
In forming the partnership with the Center McLay said, ” In an effort to develop trust-based relationships with our Islamic communities, the Police Bureau hereby commits to the same collaborative commitments we share with our partners from the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network. “
McLay promised the police will be proactive in its investigation of possible hate crimes towards Muslims, provide additional training for investigators to help them better understand issues concerning Muslims, and also announced the police will have a representative from the Mayor’s staff who will be a liaison between the Center and the Muslim community.
A written statement from the police promised a renewed emphasis of hiring and retaining a more diverse police force, something the Pittsburgh police has had difficulty in doing.
Abu Noaman, an immigrant from Pakistan who has lived in the United States for over 30 years told Digital Journal he is more than concerned with the escalating violence towards Muslims, “I am nervous,” he said during an interview.
“I do believe the California shootings will have a negative impact on Muslims in America,” Noaman added. “I’m concerned about my future, I’m concerned about my family, and I’m concerned about our future and well-being,” he added, referring to the increase in violence towards Muslims.
Mohamed said that there have been other anti-Muslim incidents recently, which have been reported to the police. He added that the new partnership with law enforcement will make it easier to report such incidents, such as threats he said have recently been made to the Center.
Saying that “Islamaphobia” is “widespread,” Mohamed in praising the new alliance with police said, “What is needed is a legitimate effort,” in curbing the violence towards Muslims and the new partnership “is a step in the right direction.”
Mohamed added that politicians are partially responsible for the increase in anti-Muslim feelings saying, ” We see this uptake in Islamaphobia because of all this hateful rhetoric being spewed by the politicians.”
In a December 2 interview Mohamed told CNN, “I personally think of all the politicians fuming hateful Islamophobic rhetoric and this leading to more votes.”
A young woman who asked that her name not be used told Digital Journal that in her opinion Muslims “are never portrayed in a good light.”
The woman, who converted from being a Christian, said since the terror attacks in Paris, and the shootings in California, which the FBI has determined to be an act of terrorism, she is much more concerned for her safety.
The Islamic Center located near the University of Pittsburgh is is open to people of all faiths, and is the spiritual center to the large Muslim community in Allegheny County.
