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Bias crimes increase against Muslims in U.S.
Associated Press
Published May 11, 2005
NEWARK, N.J. - The number of reported bias crimes and civil rights violations committed against Muslims in the United States soared to its highest level last year since the period immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a new report finds.
The report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations blames lingering animosity toward Muslims and a growing use of anti-Muslim rhetoric by some political, religious and media figures for the increase.
The Associated Press obtained an advance copy of the study, which will be released today.
The council counted 1,522 incidents in which Muslims reported their civil rights had been violated in 2004, a 49 percent increase over 2003. Another 141 incidents of confirmed or suspected bias crimes were committed against Muslims, a 52 percent rise.
The report did contain some good news. Workplace discrimination complaints - 23 percent of all 2003 complaints - fell to less than 18 percent last year. Complaints involving government agencies fell from 29 percent in 2003 to 19 percent last year.
[Last modified May 11, 2005, 00:50:47]
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