(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/21/17) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said it is representing the family of a Virginia Muslim teen who was murdered Sunday.

Nabra Hassanen, 17, of Reston, Va., was abducted after leaving the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque in northern Virginia allegedly by a man who was later arrested on suspicion of murder. CAIR has called for a thorough investigation of a possible bias motive in the case.

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“CAIR represents the interests of the family of Nabra Hassanen and will monitor the development of the investigation to ensure a thorough examination of any possible bias aspects of the case,” said CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri. “Questions for the family should now be directed to CAIR’s attorneys and spokespeople.”

CAIR has noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election and recently released a report showing a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016 over the previous year. This spike in anti-Muslim incidents was accompanied by a 44 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes during the same period.

SEE: New CAIR Report Shows More than 50 Percent Spike in Anti-Muslim Incidents

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR’s Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.