Hate Crime Targets Muslim Family At Silver Spring Apartment

SILVER SPRING, MD — Police are investigating a possible hate bias incident targeting a Muslim mother of four at a Silver Spring apartment building, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

The unidentified mother told CAIR that the harassment first began in April when she came home to blue sticky notes on her apartment door saying she should quiet down her children.

The threatening sticky notes convey messages like, "I see you" and "Keep those kids QUIET! Too much bumping. Will retaliate. I can hear you..." They also depict derogatory words and satanic symbols.

Hoping the perpetrator would stop, the woman did not report the incident to authorities until June, when the tone of the notes became more hostile. She said the recent notes have made her increasingly fearful for her safety and that of her children.

Several notes have popped up on her door every month since April, she said.

“We just don’t want to be living in fear. My kids were born here, I work and we pay our dues….all we want is just peace,” the woman told ABC7. “We’re not going to go anywhere.”

The Maryland Outreach Department of CAIR called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident.

"Our communities need to know that the law is on their side if they stand up and report possible hate incidents," said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry in a statement.

Anyone with information, is urged to contact Montgomery County Police at 240-773-6870 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Photo: CAIR