(CLEVELAND, OH, 1/10/24) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today called on law enforcement authorities to consider hate crime charges against an alleged anti-Palestinian attack on the owner of Algebra Teahouse, who was reportedly hit multiple times by an pro-Israel extremist in the parking lot of his establishment.
Ayman Alkayali, owner of Algebra Teahouse said this comes after multiple incidents from the same alleged aggressor. Law enforcement and city officials have been called on multiple occasions to address the verbal and physical harassment of Alkayali, his son and his customers. This series of reported incidents allegedly escalated to an increased level of danger yesterday, Jan. 9, around 2 p.m.
Alkayali stated: “He showed up outside my teahouse against police orders and my son called the police right away. He started to drive fast and I quickly became concerned for the safety of my customers and residential neighbors, so I went out to the parking lot to inform him these safety concerns and that’s when he proceeded to drive into my body at least six times until I fell on to the ground in pain.”
Alkayali stated that after the alleged aggressor caused him bodily injury during the course of the vehicular assault, the individual reportedly pulled out his phone to record his victim. “He came out of his van and started filming me,” said Alkayali. According to Alkayali, the police arrived on the scene and arrested the extremist.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Executive Director Faten Odeh said:
“We have reached out to law enforcement and our public officials multiple times about anti-Palestinian extremists, and they have not done enough to protect Clevelanders from this undue harm.
“This alleged act of violence really comes from the top as our leaders set the tone for their constituents to follow. For more than two months, we have been calling on Cleveland City Council to pass a ceasefire resolution that promotes peace across the globe and decries rising anti-Palestinian and anti-Jewish discrimination in Cleveland.
“Week after week, our city leaders have ignored the growing calls of Clevelanders resulting in Cleveland residents like Mr. Alkayali allegedly being physically and emotionally harmed by their neglect to serve as our leaders for all Cleveland residents.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR release updated civil rights data showing that it has continued to receive a “staggering” increase in complaints of anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias over the past two months.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247