Hate crimes are their own class of crime for a very good reason: The enhanced classification and punishment deters people from criminally acting out on their bigotry. It is the government’s obligation to its citizens to take a no-tolerance position on such crimes.

Amal Abusumayah, a 28-year-old American mother of four young girls, was going about her usual shopping when she was randomly treated to a dose of derogatory comments about her faith and ethnic heritage; the offending woman, later identified as 54-year-old Valerie Kenney, referenced Fort Hood. Amal tried to ignore the comments and proceeded to check out at the counter when she felt a sharp pull on her hijab — or headscarf.

Amal Abusumayah was shopping when another customer made hateful comments against Muslims and attempted to pull off Abusumayah’s headscarf.

CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, talks to Al Jazeera’s Riz Khan about how the tragedy of Fort Hood will impact Muslim communities in the US. (Part 1)

CAIR-Chicago’s Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, talks to Al Jazeera’s Riz Khan about how the tragedy of Fort Hood will impact Muslim communities in the US. (Part 2)

I would love the opportunity to talk about my faith proactively when there isn’t something terrible happening. And everyday, good things are going on, but the one day that something bad happens, that’s when people become interested in our faith and that is troublesome.

CAIR-Chicago’s Ahmed Rehab, as a live guest on WGN News, responds to bigoted sentiments being expressed by some Americans after the unfortunate shooting at Fort Hood.

Ahmed Rehab talks to CLTV News about Muslim efforts to combat Islamophobia through public education and interfaith initiatives.