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This past week, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued its 6th-annual report on the status of Muslim civil rights in the United States.  CAIR began documenting anti-Muslim incidents following the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City, which was initially blamed on Muslims.  In the first few days following that attack, American Muslims reported more than 220 acts of violence, threats, and harassment against them.

Six years later, Muslims in the United States are still victims of ignorance.  According to CAIR's 53-page report, anti-Muslim incidents rose 15 percent in the past year (March 2000-March 2001).  Incidents reported include:

• denial of religious accommodation in schools or the workplace
• physical assault, including a gun attack at a Tennessee mosque
• verbal abuse
• discrimination based on religious attire or appearance