CAIR relocates Banquet amid bomb, death threats over stance on Israel-Palestine conflict

CAIR relocates Banquet amid bomb, death threats | Credits: Google
CAIR relocates Banquet amid bomb, death threats | Credits: Google

Washington DC, United States: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CIAR), a US-based Muslim civil rights group, has recently moved out its annual Banquet from the Virginia hotel. The decision has been taken by the group after receiving bomb and death threats.

According to the reports, the threats were received because of the group’s biasness towards the Palestinians stuck in between the region in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.

The statement by the Council on American-Islamic Relations:

The CIAR outlined that the authorities have decided to cancel the plan to host the 29th session of the annual Banquet at Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington, near the Potomac River.

This announcement was shared in the public domain through an official statement by the Council. The statement read, “In recent days, according to the Marriott, anonymous callers have threatened to plant bombs in the hotel’s parking garage, kill specific hotel staff in their homes, and storm the hotel in a repeat of the Jan. 6th attack on the US Capitol if the events moved forward,” according to news agency AP.

Nihad Awad, Palestinian-American National Executive Director of CAIR | Credits: AP

It furthermore outlined that the Council has used the venue for many years, but this year, it will be shifting to an undisclosed location with strict and heightened security.

Arlington police to investigate the matter

According to the reports, the matter will be investigated by the Arlington police. The preliminary information shared by the police force stated that the authorities of the hotel received a phone call referencing bomb threats.

On Thursday morning, the police force informed that during the investigation, it was revealed that the hotel received phone calls about bomb threats during the CAIR event.

According to the reports by AP, the FBI, who is investigating the matter – as per CAIR, and the Marriott Hotel Chain did not reply to the emails late Thursday night.

Arlington police | Credits: Google Images

CAIR has informed the individuals included in the matter that the dedicated Banquet in Maryland on October 28 has been canceled and will be hosted along with other events on Saturday.

According to the members of the Council, the threats were received after it changed the topic of the discussion for the event. The new topic was related to the ‘human rights issues for Palestinians.’ In addition to this, the group has also started an online campaign to urge the Congress members to promote the ceasefire in Gaza.

Nihad Awad, Palestinian-American National Executive Director of CAIR, in a statement, quoted, “We strongly condemn the extreme and disgusting threats against our organization, the Marriott hotel and its staff.”

CAIR ED Awad added, “We will not allow the threats of anti-Palestinian racists and anti-Muslim bigots who seek to dehumanize the Palestinian people and silence American Muslims to stop us from pursuing justice for all,” as per Associated Press.

Why have concerns been raised?

Following a surprise attack by Palestine-aided terrorist group – Hamas on Israel on October 7, the date which coincides with a major Jewish holiday, the region has been facing chaos.

The attack has taken the lives of hundreds of civilians on both sides. As a counterattack, Israel launched continuous air raids on the Gaza Strip – which has destroyed the majority of the nation.   On October 20, the war entered its 14th day and the situation has only worsened with every passing hour.