MIAMI, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR - FL) expressed concern Wednesday that a recent cross-burning in front of a home in Harbor Point, Fla., is not being investigated as a hate crime.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident in which a wooden cross was set on fire in front of the residence of Dr. Mohamed Omar Saleh, a local psychiatrist.
The Florida Times-Union reported that, “Officer Melissa Bujeda, a Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, confirmed a cross was burned at the scene and said an intelligence unit and evidence technician were assigned to the case. But it cannot be classified as a hate crime yet.”
Cross-burnings have been associated with racist sentiments.
CAIR-FL is assigning resources to ensure that hate crimes against the community are investigated as such.
“CAIR-Florida’s Civil Rights Department and our regional coordinators are actively contacting the parties affected and urging the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to treat and investigate this incident as a possible hate crime,” said CAIR-FL Communications Director Wilfredo Amr Ruiz.
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.
